Massachusetts joins Powerball lottery

The popular lottery game Powerball is coming to Massachusetts, and state treasurer Timothy Cahill says it could bring as much as $40 million to cities and towns.

Powerball officials voted this weekto let Massachusetts join the multi-state game after turning the state down earlier this year. The rejection caused problems because lawmakers had included expected Powerball revenues in the budget.

Cahill called this week's decision "a win-win" for everyone. He said the game will start in Massachusetts in January, at the earliest.

The news comes the same week lawmakers estimated a $600 million revenue shortfall for this fiscal year.

Powerball offers $1 tickets for Wednesday night and Saturday night drawings.

Its record jackpot was $365 million in 2006. The state is already part of another multi-state lottery game, Mega Millions.