How To Play USA Powerball
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TICKET COST
Powerball tickets cost $2.00 per play.
DRAW DAYS
Powerball drawings are held every week on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
DRAW TIME
Each Powerball draw is made at 10:59 p.m. ET. Sales cut-off times vary by one to two hours before the drawing, depending on the selling jurisdiction.
BALLS & NUMBERS
Select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls.
Then select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.
WIN CONDITIONS
Players win a prize by matching one of the 9 ways to win.
WHERE TO PLAY
You can play Powerball in 45 states of the United States, Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
DRAW RESULTS
Powerball website: powerball.com
Video Draw: powerball.com/watch-drawing
PRIZE TIER
There are nine ways to win a Powerball prize, ranging from $4 to the Grand Prize (jackpot). If no one wins the jackpot, the money is added back to the jackpot for the next drawing.
All prizes are set cash amounts, except the Grand Prize.
JACKPOT PRIZE PAYOUT
Grand Prize Jackpot winners can either select their prize as an annuity or a lump-sum payment.
Annuity option: The winner is guaranteed to receive 30 graduated payments over 29 years. The annual payments increase by 5% until the 30th and final payment. The 30 payments added up equal the value of the annuity.
Cash Value option: This smaller payment option is a one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to all the cash in the Powerball jackpot prize pool.
CALIFORNIA PRIZES
in California, all Powerball prize amounts (not just jackpot prizes) are pari-mutuel, meaning they are determined by sales and the number of winners, rather than being fixed amounts.
POWER PLAY
You can ask for Power Play with any Powerball purchase.
For an additional $1 per play, the Power Play feature can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 times.
The multiplier number is randomly selected just before each drawing.
The 10X multiplier is only in play when the advertised jackpot annuity is $150 million or less.
The Match 5 prize with Power Play is always $2 million.
Powerball FAQ
What is the US Powerball?
The US Powerball is a multi-state lottery game famous for its ability to generate massive jackpots. It is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association and is available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game draws a huge following due to its simplicity and the size of the prizes offered. The Powerball has made headlines numerous times for awarding life-changing jackpots, sometimes reaching hundreds of millions or even over a billion dollars.
How do I play the Powerball?
Playing Powerball is simple. Participants select five numbers from a set of 69 white balls and one number from 26 red Powerballs. The red Powerball number can be the same as one of the chosen white ball numbers. Players win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in a drawing. There are also smaller prizes for matching fewer numbers. These prizes range from $4 for matching just the Powerball to $1 million for matching all five white balls.
How much does a Powerball ticket cost?
A standard Powerball ticket costs $2 per play. For an additional $1 per play, players can opt-in for the Power Play option, which can multiply non-jackpot prizes. This additional cost can significantly increase the value of secondary prizes.
What is the Power Play option?
The Power Play option is an additional feature players can add to their ticket for $1 per play. This feature multiplies non-jackpot prizes by a factor of 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10, depending on the Power Play number drawn that evening. The 10x multiplier is available only when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less. This option enhances the potential winnings for non-jackpot prize tiers.
How can I purchase Powerball tickets?
Powerball tickets are available at licensed lottery retailers, which are often found in convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. Some states also offer online ticket purchases or subscriptions through official state lottery websites or apps, allowing players to buy tickets from the comfort of their homes.
Can I play Powerball if I am not a resident of the United States?
Yes, non-residents can play and win the Powerball. Tickets must be purchased in the United States, and winners are subject to the same rules and regulations as U.S. citizens, including taxation. Winners who are not U.S. residents will be subjected to federal withholding taxes on prizes, as well as any applicable state taxes.
What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are approximately 1 in 292.2 million. These odds are the same for each drawing and do not change regardless of the number of tickets sold or the size of the jackpot.
How are the Powerball numbers drawn?
The Powerball numbers are drawn using two separate ball machines: one to draw the five white balls and another to draw the red Powerball. These machines use counter-rotating arms to randomize the balls. The process ensures that each draw is completely random and fair.
When are the Powerball drawings held?
Powerball drawings are conducted three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings at 10:59 PM Eastern Time. Ticket sales cut-off times vary by state but typically are 1-2 hours before the drawing.
How do I check if I won?
Winning numbers are posted on the official Powerball website immediately after the draw. Additionally, players can check their tickets at authorized retailers, where ticket barcodes can be scanned. Many state lottery websites and mobile apps also provide the facility to check numbers.
What happens if I win?
If you win a Powerball prize, immediately sign the back of your ticket and store it in a safe place. It's important to contact the lottery office in the state where the ticket was purchased to get information on how to claim the prize. For significant winnings, it is advisable to consult with legal and financial professionals to discuss the best way to claim and manage the prize.
How long do I have to claim a prize?
The time you have to claim a Powerball prize varies by state, generally ranging from 90 days to one year from the drawing date. The rules for claiming prizes also vary by state and prize amount. It's important to check the rules in the state where the ticket was purchased.
Are Powerball winnings taxable?
Yes, Powerball winnings are subject to both federal and state taxes. The federal government treats lottery winnings as taxable income. State taxes vary, with some states taxing lottery winnings and others not. Non-U.S. residents will also be subjected to the tax laws of their countries.
Can I remain anonymous if I win?
Whether a Powerball winner can remain anonymous depends on the laws of the state where the ticket was purchased. Some states require the public release of the winner's name, city, and prize amount, while others allow winners to claim their prizes anonymously or through legal entities.
What happens to unclaimed prizes?
Unclaimed Powerball prizes are used differently in each state. Typically, these funds are returned to the state lottery and are then used to fund various public sectors such as education, social services, or future lottery games.
Can I choose a lump sum or annuity payment for the jackpot?
Powerball jackpot winners have the choice of receiving their prize as a lump sum payment or as an annuity. The lump sum is a single payment after federal and state taxes are withheld. The annuity option spreads the jackpot over 29 years, providing 30 payments that increase each year. The choice between the lump sum and annuity depends on the winner's personal financial situation and preferences.
What is the minimum jackpot?
The minimum Powerball jackpot is $20 million. If there is no jackpot winner, the jackpot rolls over to the next drawing and increases based on ticket sales and interest rates.
How does the jackpot grow?
When there is no jackpot winner, the Powerball jackpot increases for the next drawing. The growth is driven by ticket sales and interest rates. A portion of each ticket sale is added to the jackpot prize pool. The actual amount of increase depends on the number of tickets sold for each drawing.
Can I buy Powerball tickets in advance?
Yes, players can purchase tickets for multiple consecutive draws in advance. The number of advance draws you can participate in varies by state. This feature allows players to play their favorite numbers for several weeks without the need to buy a new ticket for each drawing.
Where do the proceeds from Powerball ticket sales go?
The proceeds from Powerball ticket sales are allocated differently in each participating state. Generally, these funds are used for public welfare, including education, parks, emergency responders, veterans' services, and other state-funded projects. Each state lottery provides detailed information on how its proceeds are used.
ABOUT US POWERBALL
Powerball is an American lottery game available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
It was created by Dr. Edward J. Stanek and Steve Caputo and launched as Powerball in 1992, succeeding its predecessor, Lotto America, which started in 1988. Powerball was innovative for being the first game to use two drums for drawing numbers, increasing the odds of winning while allowing for multiple prize levels.
Powerball drawings were initially held biweekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with Monday drawings added in 2021 to boost sales and jackpot amounts. The game has undergone several format changes over the years.
The annuity option, introduced in 1997, changed from 20 to 25 yearly payments, and the cash option was added. In 2001, Powerball introduced the Power Play multiplier, allowing players to multiply non-jackpot winnings for an extra cost.
Significant changes occurred in 2009 with Powerball sales starting in Florida, altering the number matrix, and improving the average jackpot win. The 2010 cross-sell expansion allowed Powerball and Mega Millions to be offered in the same jurisdictions.
The format changed again in 2015, altering the white-ball and Powerball pools, which impacted the odds and prize structure. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the starting jackpot was temporarily lowered due to decreased sales and interest rates.
Powerball is known for its large jackpots, with a minimum starting jackpot of $20 million. Winners can choose between an annuity paid over 29 years or a lump sum payment.
The game's largest jackpots have garnered significant attention, contributing to its popularity as one of the most prominent lottery games in the United States.
