Florida to add Mega Millions lottery; Powerball will stay

TALLAHASSE, Fla. (AP) — Florida will start selling tickets to the popular Mega Millions game later this year.

Florida Lottery officials said Thursday that the state will join 42 other states in selling tickets. Tickets will go on sale on May 15.

The state already sells tickets to Powerball, another multi-state game. It also has its own game called Florida Lotto.

Lottery Secretary Cynthia O'Connell said retailers and lottery players have been asking the state to join Mega Millions for years.

Lottery officials contend that adding Mega Millions will generate additional money for the state even though in the past there have been fears that adding additional games would erode sales of existing games.

Last summer, the Florida Lottery wrapped up the most financially successful year in its history.

WFTV