Iowa Lottery adding two games

DES MOINES - The Iowa Lottery said Tuesday it is adding two games.

In late October, the lottery will begin offering a $2 Mega Millions game. In November, it will debut Lotto America, a $1 game.

Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich said the updates are designed to give people more choices.

Sales in $2 Mega Millions will begin Oct. 28. The first drawing in the revamped game will be Oct. 31.

The game's jackpots will start at $40 million, and the top prize will grow by at least $5 million between drawings when it is not won.

Players will choose five numbers from a pool of 70 and a Mega Ball number from a pool of 25. The odds of winning the jackpot will be longer in the new design, but the odds will improve for winning a $1 million prize for matching just the first five numbers.

On Nov. 12, Lotto America will debut in Iowa and at least 14 other states. Jackpots will start at $2 million, and drawings will be held twice a week, on Wednesday and Saturday nights. The first drawing will be Nov. 15.

The game will feature nine prize levels. Players will choose five numbers from a pool of 52 and another number, called the Lotto America Star BallSM, from a pool of 10.

Players who match all six numbers selected in a drawing will win the jackpot. It will grow by at least $50,000 per drawing until it is won - with odds of winning the jackpot around 1 in 26 million.