The Nevada Gambling Commission has approved new regulations for multi-state jackpots, which will allow slot machines makers and keno companies to widen prize pools and offer larger jackpots across US state lines. According to the RGJ.com website, the new rules will enable companies to compete with interstate lotteries by offering greater jackpots and prizes.

Attorney Dan Reaser sought the rule on behalf of gaming products designer and manufacturer International Game Technology (IGT), and online casino games and solutions company Bally Technologies. Reaser said that the idea behind the new multi-state jackpots regulations was to expand slot network games currently offered in-state, to states or tribal jurisdictions that approve similar regulations.

“This would allow a Harrah’s property in Mississippi that’s offering Megabucks to hook up with Harrah’s properties in Nevada that have Megabucks and offer a larger prize pool,” Reaser said. “If you have more people playing more machines, the prize meter goes up faster. It’s not a lottery, and it’s not a common game like internet poker.””

In October of 2009, the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) signed an agreement with the consortium of states that operated the similar Mega Millions lottery, which allowed MUSL members to sell Mega Millions tickets and consortium members to sell Powerball tickets. On January 31, 2010, all but 2 of the 12 Mega Millions consortium lotteries began selling Powerball tickets.

UPDATE: As of 2016, Powerball and Mega Millions were both offered in 46 jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball is also offered in Puerto Rico, where Mega Millions is not currently offered. Before the agreement, the only places that sold both Mega Millions and Powerball tickets were retailers that sat on state lines and offered multiple lotteries.

The story on multi-state jackpots originally appeared on iGaming Business.