Powerball ticket price going to $2

Get ready to pay more for Powerball: Ticket prices are going up to $2.

Lottery organizers hope the price change will entice more people to play because jackpots are getting bigger and the odds of winning are improving.

The move is a strategy to differentiate the game from Mega Millions, another big-money, multistate lottery game that sells for $1 a ticket. Both games are sold in 42 states, plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington D.C. Both have drawings twice a week but are played on different nights.

Lottery officials say they are betting players will like the variety and changes made in the game. But some players say the price increase may keep them from playing as often or not at all.

The price change takes effect Jan. 15.

Current Powerball
Cost: $1
Number of Powerballs to choose from: 39
Odds of winning jackpot: 1:195,000,000
Second prize: $200,000
Lowest prize: $3
Odds of winning a cash prize: 1: 35.1

The New Powerball (starts Jan. 15):
Cost: $2
Number of Powerballs to choose from: 35
Odds of winning jackpot: 1:175,000,000
Second prize: $1 million
Lowest prize: $4
Overall odds of winning a cash prize: 1:31.8