governor charlie crist assumed office in 2007. on july 2, 2008, the florida lottery announced it would be joining powerball, making it the 32nd lottery to join the multi-state lottery association (musl), which includes the district of columbia and the u.s. virgin islands. the powerball game changed to accommodate florida, which then became the most populous musl member. powerball sales began in florida on january 4, 2009, for the january 7 drawing, the first to be held at universal orlando resort. florida became the home base of the powerball drawing.