Massachusetts lottery players are about to get a new way to play, and this one is aimed at football fans.
The Massachusetts State Lottery plans to launch Powerball Xs and Os, an NFL-themed weekly draw game, in roughly two weeks. Lottery Executive Director Mark William Bracken said the game is being developed through the Multi-State Lottery Association in partnership with the NFL and is expected to roll out in at least 31 states.
Instead of choosing traditional numbers, players will pick eight NFL team symbols. The drawing machine will then select team symbols rather than numbered balls.
Bracken stressed that the game has no connection to actual NFL game results. It is simply a weekly Powerball-style drawing featuring NFL team symbols.
What to know:
- 🏈 Players choose eight NFL team symbols.
- 🎯 The drawing uses NFL symbols instead of numbers.
- 📅 The game is expected to launch in Massachusetts in about two weeks.
- 👥 The Lottery hopes to attract more sports fans and new players.
For now, Massachusetts will offer Powerball Xs and Os online only. Bracken said a recent change in the state budget could eventually allow games like this to be sold at retail locations by creating a way for the Lottery to share revenue and cover related fees.
The game also comes with NFL licensing, marketing and second-chance drawing costs. Bracken noted that some wording is still being finalized before launch, but those changes are not expected to alter the game's basic rules or purpose.
The Lottery hopes the football-themed format will bring in people who may not normally play traditional draw games, giving sports fans a new reason to take a shot.
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