The Nation : Multistate Lottery Sought

Officials from 10 states and the District of Columbia agreed to work toward a multistate lottery by October, 1987, that could produce multimillion-dollar weekly payoffs. States would sell the multistate tickets just like any other game, but the prize amounts would be pooled into a single pot, said Peter J. O’Connell, a spokesman for the group. The type of game to be played will depend on the total population of the states involved and would be in addition to the various games already offered. Rebecca Paul, director of the Illinois State Lottery, said her office will coordinate the group’s initial efforts and that the drawings will be held in Chicago. The 10 states are Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and West Virginia.