MegaMillions and Powerball may join forces for national lottery

Do you think that your state runs its lottery? If so, guess again: Most of America's lotteries are run by either Mega Millions or the Multi-State Lottery Association (known as MUSL), two massive non-profits that control games in 44 states and territories.

Now these two behemoths are talking about joining forces to create a national lottery -- a move that can be both a boon and a bane to avid players.

Mega Millions, which was originally known as "The Big Game," operates in twelve states and, on March 6, 2007, two of its players split a $390 million jackpot, the largest in North American history. The company gives 35 percent of ticket revenue to the state where each ticket is purchased. Fifty percent of revenue goes to prizes, and the remaining 15 percent covers the company's operating expenses and commissions to ticket sellers.