US News

ODDS ARE PLAYERS WILL LOVE REVAMPED LOTTO

ALBANY — It’s makeover or bust for New York’s classic Lotto game.

The state Lottery Division has laid the groundwork for a new version of its flagship jackpot game in a little-noticed rules change that also gives it broad authority to overhaul the struggling Lotto brand, The Post has learned.

The new rule — quietly enacted July 31 — allows the division to roll out its new Sweet Million numbers game under the Lotto moniker next month while freeing it for a sweeping “relaunch” of the 42-year-old program.

Sweet Million will give players an equal shot at up to five $1 million prizes.

Like traditional Lotto, it will be a pick-six game and drawn twice weekly.

Unlike Lotto, players will face better odds and winners won’t have to split any jackpots with other players.

Lottery officials estimate the new game will bring in $40 million in revenue at a time when Gov. Paterson is trying to close a projected $2.1 billion budget gap.

The emergency rule lets the division make future changes to both Lotto games, including changing their names, without publicizing the moves in advance.

Still, the lottery officials say they have no plans to alter traditional Lotto or its familiar pink tickets.

“Lotto has a firm fan base — they are the players that have been there the longest and the players that are the most faithful to that one game,” said lottery spokeswoman Carolyn Hapeman.

“It’s not to say that there won’t be [changes], but for right now the emphasis is on this new game.”

Lotto sales have dropped by an average of 10 percent in each of the past five years as consumers abandon the old-fashioned numbers game for less traditional — and more lucrative — gambling options.

Lottery officials blame the decline on “jackpot fatigue” brought on by massive, multistate games, such as Mega Millions and Powerball.

But critics say Lotto’s lowest-in-the-nation 40 percent payout has also contributed.

In the past year alone, Lotto sales have plummeted by 14.6 percent to $208 million, down from a high of $356 million.

Consequently, Lotto is projected to provide $71 million to education in 2011, compared to $110 million just two years ago.

“Due to the unprecedented need for revenue at this time, the lottery and the state cannot afford to delay relaunch of the Lotto game,” the rule change reads.

Lottery officials plan to officially announce details of Sweet Million later this week. Sales will start Sept. 15, with the first drawing slated for two days later.

Players will face 1-in-3.9 million odds of winning Sweet Million on a $1 bet, compared to 1-in-22 million, with traditional Lotto and 1-in-6 million for Take Five.

brendan.scott@nypost.com