Florida to join multistate Mega Millions lottery

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

Florida Lottery officials told The Associated Press on 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 multistate 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, despite past fears that adding games would erode sales of existing games.

Last summer the Florida Lottery wrapped up the most financially successful fiscal year in its history, with sales of $4.45 billion.