Not only are ticket prices rising, but the odds of winning are also rising due to a change in the numbers that can be played.  The Powerball numbers players choose from are changing from 39 to 35, and this will raise the odds of winning to 1 in 175 million from 1 in 192 million.  The starting jackpot is also rising from $20 million to $40 million, and the winnings for matching all five numbers, but not the Powerball, is also rising from $200,000 to $1 million.  Powerball hopes that these changes will help it stand out from Mega Millions, the other multi-state lottery game.  There are 42 states that participate in the lottery, as well as the US Virgin Islands and Washington D.C., and both have drawings twice a week.  Powerball and Mega Millions will have some work to do to draw in players that are hesitant to spend an extra dollar in our current economy, but maybe the chance at winning even more money will help to keep people playing.