<P> California is unique among the 45 Mega Millions participants in that all nine prize levels for Mega Millions within its borders are always parimutuel, rather than each non-jackpot prize having a set value . This leads to different prize amounts for equivalent winners sold in California when compared to those sold in the other 44 jurisdictions . For example, the "advertised" second prize in Mega Millions is $1,000,000; it is not unheard of for that prize level to pay over $1.9 million to a California second - prize winner . The second prize pool within California frequently rolls; it is, in effect, a "secondary jackpot". Unlike the other Mega Millions members, California currently does not offer the Megaplier, which is drawn in Texas by a random number generator . </P> <P> In February 2012, as a response to declining sales and low per - capita revenue from the lottery, California Lottery management initiated a review of whether Powerball would be appropriate for the state . In September 2012, the Lottery Commission approved management's request to launch Powerball in April 2013, citing a net increase in revenue of $90 to $120 million as a result of Powerball, desiring to avoid the launch of a $20 scratcher in fall 2013 . Since the Lottery Act requires that Lottery staff be present at all draws, two part - time employees audit the Powerball draws, which are held at a studio in Tallahassee, Florida . </P> <P> In November 2012, California promulgated the regulations for Powerball in the state . Similar to Mega Millions, all non jackpot draws in the state are within an intrastate pool, with California sending its jackpot share (30% of draw sales) to MUSL for addition to the multi-state jackpot pool . This leads to different prize amounts for equivalent winners sold in California when compared to those sold in the other 44 jurisdictions . Each pool for a particular prize category will rollover, thus the "pick 5" prize will create a secondary jackpot similar to the "pick 5" payout in California's implementation of Mega Millions . Also, as a result of the California Supreme Court ruling which mandates pari - mutuel payouts, California will not participate in the PowerPlay multiplier option . California launched Powerball on April 8, 2013, with the first drawing on April 10, 2013 . The marketing budget was $8.4 million, and included experiential "red balls" placed at various locations within the state and television, radio, and online advertising . </P> <P> Little Lotto: A pick 6 - out - of - 39 game with a fixed top prize of $500,000 . </P>

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