For years, New York State's lotto players have tried their luck at the Mega Millions Jackpot; now they have the chance to win two major games. As our Matt Hunter explains the arrival of Powerball in New York State means more tickets sold, bigger jackpots and a larger boost to the state and local economies.

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"There'd be a lot of vacations and the vehicles you always wanted and all the other toys and novelty stuff," Rotterdam resident Eric Blum said.

"I've got 19 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren who would appreciate it very much," longtime lotto player and Rotterdam resident Freda Bonk said.

But now, the odds of winning a multi-million dollar jackpot in New York State have just gone up as Powerball joins Mega Millions as the second big-time lotto game to be offered in the state.

"It's pretty exciting, it's a big jackpot," Greenville resident Joel Rowlison said. "It's about time it got here."

"It's like having Coke and Pepsi available everywhere, as opposed to having them available in different states," New York Lottery Director Gordon Medenica said.

Prior to Powerball's arrival in New York, lotto players often drove long distances to get a ticket; a hassle they'll no longer have to deal with.

"In the past people would have to go to Vermont, Pennsylvania or Connecticut to purchase a Powerball ticket," Medenica said. "Now they can do it right here."

By spring, 43 states will sell tickets to both Mega Millions and Powerball, leading to more tickets sold and larger jackpots; benefiting everyone from lotto players and vendors, to state and local governments.

"I'm hoping this is going to be more business for us," said Arshad Ali, owner of the Qik Pik Convenient Store in Rotterdam. "Because people play Mega Millions, Lotto and Street Millions, and this is the biggest jackpot I think, at this time."

The New York lotto generates more than $6 billion a year, with more than $2 billion going to local schools. Lotto players call benefits like that, an extra reason to keep playing.

"If I have a winner, that's just fine, if we don't, we'll try again," Bonk said.

New York State's first Powerball drawing is Wednesday, February 3.