Washington state joins multi-state lottery a month early

OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON - The state of Washington will join the multistate Mega Millions lottery game, which includes Georgia, in two weeks -- a month ahead of schedule. <br> <br> Tickets go on sale in Washington September fourth. The first drawing is September sixth. <br> <br> Washington wasn&#39;t planning on joining the game until October. The governor&#39;s budget office encouraged the Lottery Commission to start early to start bringing in more money as soon as possible. <br> <br> State budget writers expect Mega Millions to bring in nearly three million dollars a month or about $32 million a year. <br> <br> This week&#39;s jackpot is $78 million. <br> <br> The jackpots grow because the odds of winning are one in more than $135 million. <br> <br> The Mega Millions game consists of 52 ``white&#39;&#39; balls and 52 ``mega&#39;&#39; balls. To win the jackpot, a player must pick five correct white balls plus the correct mega ball. <br> <br> Mega Millions was formerly known as The Big Game. It changed its name in May when New York and Ohio joined seven other states. The other states besides Georgia are: Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Virginia and New Jersey.