Oklahoma Lottery
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Oklahoma Lottery is one of the newest state lotteries created in the United States. In 2003 the Oklahoma legislature passed legislation allowing the proposal of a lottery to go before a vote of the people. Two state questions (705 and 706) were placed on the general election ballot in 2004. Those state questions would set up the lottery commission and create a lottery trust fund. The Oklahoma Lottery was approved by the vote of the people in 2004 by rather large margins.[1] The Oklahoma Lottery is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). On October 12, 2005 scratchers went on sale. On November 10, 2005 Pick 3 was started. Powerball came to Oklahoma on January 12, 2006. Jim Scroggins is the current director.
On June 26, 2007, Oklahoma announced that the MUSL secondary jackpot game Hot Lotto will be added; sales began on January 3, 2008, when Hot Lotto introduced its own multiplier, the "Sizzler" tripler. In addition, there is a lottery game show produced in Oklahoma City which began in October 2007. These additions are being introduced to combat lower than expected sales as a result of not offering video lottery or keno.[2] Players on the game show will be guaranteed $500 each, and can win $50,000 or more. The second and succeeding shows will include a "returning champion".
The Powerball drawing of June 27, 2007 produced Oklahoma's second winning jackpot ticket for the game, and largest to date: $105.8 million (annuitized). It was bought in Roland, off Interstate 40 just over the Arkansas state line. Don Harvey, 64, and his wife, Joyce, 50, of Muldrow, Oklahoma claimed the prize on June 29, 2007; they chose the cash option, and will receive approximately $33.7 million after withholdings.[3] In June 2006 an Oklahoman won $101 million. It is very unusual for a state to have two $100 million winners within a year.[4]
Oklahoma Cash 5 began with Tuesday and Thursday drawings. On Saturday, July 14, 2007, a third weekly drawing was added.
Oklahoma's first Hot Lotto jackpot win is from a ticket for the March 26, 2008 drawing; the ticket has not been claimed. It was sold in Oklahoma City.
As with most lotteries in the United States, the minimum age to purchase a ticket is 18.
[edit] References
- ^ Oklahomans show two sides in election. KFOR: kfor.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-08.
- ^ Michael McNutt (6/27/2007). Lottery officials hope new games do a number on sales. Oklahoman. Retrieved on 2007-06-27.
- ^ Update: Muldrow couple claims the big Powerball prize. Tulsa World (6/29/2007). Retrieved on 2007-06-29.
- ^ Chad Previch (6/28/2007). $105 million ticket bought in Roland. Oklahoman. Retrieved on 2007-06-28.
