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N.C. Lottery Officials Consider Powerball, Mega Millions Games

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thousands of North Carolina residents are grasping the lottery tickets they bought in South Carolina in hopes of winning the $340 million Powerball jackpot. By the end of next year, it's hoped those same residents can stay inside the state and play.

Some members of North Carolina's lottery commission say the state is likely to follow the national trend of joining Powerball or Mega Millions, the two biggest multistate games.

The lottery commission has not set a timetable for the start of games, but commission member Kevin Geddings says scratch-off games could start by spring and a multistate lottery by the end of 2006.

Just across the border in South Carolina, North Carolina players say they would be happy to play at home if their state could get in on a multistate game.

The Powerball jackpot has been growing since mid-August. The current jackpot breaks the record of $314.9 million won on Christmas Day 2002.

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