Florida governor bets on Powerball

"But Crist's wager is based largely on an educated guess. Only now -- two weeks after Crist's decision to join 29 states in Powerball -- are Florida's revenue estimators trying to figure out such details as how much the state will get for every $1 spent on a ticket sold here.

"Or whether Powerball and its huge jackpots will lure players away from the state's current slate of games.

"…And, most importantly, what effect all that will have on the amount of money the drawings bring in for education.

"…Crist spokesman Sterling Ivey concedes the governor did not pore over a detailed analysis of Powerball's potential financial impact before committing the state.

"Instead, Ivey said, Crist relied on anecdotal evidence of other states doing well with the game and conversations with players and retailers saying they would welcome Powerball…"