The Multi-State Lottery Association, which operates the Powerball game, shouldn't act again to decrease the odds of winning, as is currently being contemplated. There is no guarantee that creating a situation whereby there will be more jackpots in excess of $100 million - and, thus, fewer jackpot winners - will increase sales over the long run.

Making it even harder to win the jackpot than it already is - the current odds are 121 million to 1 - would discourage many more people from playing, even when a big jackpot were at stake.

People shouldn't "mortgage" theirs and their families' existences on a significantly more remote chance of striking it rich. They should not buy lottery tickets in excess, even for games that offer much better odds of winning.

Players should restrain their lottery ticket buying as a matter of common practice and good judgment.

Spawning the consideration for worse Powerball odds is the fact that there have been 12 jackpot winners so far this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Six of those jackpots were won during the first 11 weeks of 2005.

The most Powerball jackpot winners ever recorded for a fiscal year was 17, and lottery association officials are fearful that, over the next three months, that record will be tied or exceeded.

It isn't that officials want to cling to the jackpot money. It's just that, throughout Powerball's history, ticket sales have increased markedly once the jackpot hit $100 million - and Powerball officials want more of that.

According to the lottery association, because there have been so many winners since the beginning of this fiscal year on July 1, 2004, total sales for the year might be down by $400 million.

But that shouldn't make anyone think that a pity party is in order. Estimated ticket sales for the year still are expected to reach $1.8 billion or $1.9 billion - not a small chunk of change.

In pondering worse odds, Powerball officials are ignoring the possibility that, even with the current odds, the "luck of the draw" could result in no more jackpot winners during this fiscal year, setting up the possibility for a jackpot well in excess of $100 million.

Regardless, with the rules currently in place, Powerball should be willing to accept the results of the draw, even when the draw doesn't produce the situation that officials might desire.

If the odds are decreased, there is no assurance that Powerball will achieve its hoped-for increased revenue, if more people balk at the game's odds.

Powerball showed it was a "poor loser" when, a couple of years ago, it decreased odds for winning to the current one in 121 million from one in 80 million.

Every night that there is a drawing, millions of players accept their fate of being a loser. Powerball is never a loser, regardless of the number of winners, and should be willing to accept what the winning balls dictate.

For now, Powerball should not opt for worse odds. Powerball officials might be greedy, but the game isn't broken.