Powerball

Gameplay and prize structure

To play Powerball, participants select five distinct numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. Players can choose their own numbers or opt for a quick pick. A standard play costs $2 in the United States. In Idaho and Montana the Power Play multiplier is bundled, making the minimum purchase $3. Drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time at the Florida Lottery's studio in Tallahassee. The official cutoff for ticket sales is 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, though some lotteries cut off sales earlier. There are nine ways to win a prize. The jackpot is awarded for matching all five white balls in any order plus the red Powerball. The minimum starting jackpot is $20 million on an annuity basis, paid in 30 graduated installments over 29 years. Each annuity payment increases by five percent annually. Winners can choose a lump-sum cash payment, which is about half the advertised annuity value. The game offers two optional add-on features for an extra $1 per play each.

The Power Play feature multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x. The 10x multiplier is available only when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less. The Match 5 prize with Power Play is always set at $2 million. The Double Play feature is available in 14 states and Puerto Rico. It allows players to enter their same numbers into a second drawing held about 30 minutes after the main one. The top prize for Double Play is a fixed $10 million cash. A Powerball ticket with the Double Play option costs $3. If both Power Play and Double Play are chosen, the total cost is $4.

Historical development and format changes

Powerball originated from its predecessor, Lotto America, which began in 1988. The game was renamed and relaunched as Powerball on April 19, 1992, with its first drawing held on April 22, 1992. A key innovation was the use of two separate ball machines, one for white balls and one for red Powerballs. This concept was suggested by Steve Caputo of the Oregon Lottery. The drawings were initially hosted in West Des Moines, Iowa, by longtime radio personality Mike Pace. The game's annuity option was originally 20 yearly payments. On November 2, 1997, it was extended to 25 payments and the cash lump-sum option was introduced. Major format changes have occurred several times to alter odds and jackpot sizes.

• April 1992: Powerball launches, replacing Lotto America.
• March 2001: Introduction of the optional Power Play multiplier.
• January 2009: Drawings move to Florida. Matrix changes to 5/59 + 1/39.
• January 2012: Ticket price doubles to $2. Matrix changes to 5/59 + 1/35.
• October 2015: Matrix changes to current 5/69 + 1/26 format.
• August 2021: Monday drawings are added. Double Play feature introduced.
• July 2026: Game expands to the United Kingdom.

In January 2009, the matrix changed to 5/59 + 1/39, and the starting jackpot increased to $20 million. In January 2012, the ticket price doubled to $2, the minimum jackpot doubled to $40 million, and the red ball pool was reduced from 39 to 35. The most significant recent change came on October 4, 2015, when the white ball pool expanded from 59 to 69 and the Powerball pool shrank from 35 to 26. This changed the jackpot odds to 1 in 292,201,338. This format directly contributed to the record $1.586 billion jackpot in January 2016 and the $2.04 billion jackpot in November 2022.

Expansion and cross-selling with Mega Millions

For much of its early history, Powerball and its main competitor, Mega Millions, were offered by separate lottery consortia. A landmark agreement in October 2009 allowed for cross-selling, meaning lotteries could offer both games. This expansion took effect on January 31, 2010. Illinois, for example, began offering Powerball on that date, and its drawings were simulcast nationally on WGN America. This period saw several lotteries that were previously exclusive to one game produce jackpot winners for the other. New Jersey's first Powerball jackpot was in March 2010, worth over $211 million. Ohio's first Powerball jackpot was in June 2010, worth $261 million. The cross-sell agreement made both games available nearly nationwide. Only Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah do not have state lotteries.

California joined Powerball on April 8, 2013. It does not offer the Power Play option due to state laws requiring parimutuel payouts. Puerto Rico joined in October 2014, becoming the first primarily Spanish-speaking jurisdiction to offer the game. The most recent international expansion was announced for the United Kingdom on April 13, 2026. Sales began on July 21, 2026, and the first drawing including UK participants was held on July 23, 2026. The UK version features a different prize structure. It includes a fixed £1 million prize for matching five main numbers and a requirement for jackpot winners to take the annuity option.

Record jackpots and notable wins

Powerball is renowned for producing historically large jackpots, a trend accelerated by the 2015 odds lengthening. The game holds the record for the largest lottery jackpot ever won on a single ticket. The current record was set on November 8, 2022, when a jackpot of $2.04 billion was won by a single ticket sold in Altadena, California. The winner was Edwin Castro, who opted for a lump sum of $997.6 million. The drawing was delayed from November 7 due to incomplete security protocols at the Minnesota Lottery. Prior to that, the record was the $1.586 billion jackpot from January 2016, which was split among three winning tickets in California, Florida, and Tennessee. The frequency of massive jackpots has increased.

Other notable wins include the first jackpot-winning ticket sold in a jurisdiction that had just added the game through cross-selling. For example, New Jersey produced a jackpot-winning Powerball ticket in March 2010. The game also produces numerous million-dollar winners through the Match 5 prize, which was set at $1 million starting in 2012. On March 30, 2005, 110 second-prize winners shared $19.4 million after playing numbers from identical fortune cookies made by Wonton Food Inc.

Drawing procedures and operations

Powerball drawings are conducted using physical ball machines and sets under strict security protocols. Two identical drawing machines, randomly selected from four sets, are used for each draw. The current machine model is the Halogen, manufactured by Smartplay International. For each drawing, one set of white balls and one set of red Powerballs are randomly chosen from four available sets of each colour. The balls are mixed by a turntable at the bottom of the machine. When a ball is selected, it is propelled up a shaft and down a rail to the display. A backup drawing location and machine are available at MUSL headquarters in Iowa if the primary studio in Tallahassee is inaccessible. The drawings are hosted from the Florida Lottery's headquarters, having moved from Universal Studios Orlando in 2012. Sam Arlen began his tenure as host in 2012, with Laura W. Johnson serving as co-host.

Michele Lyles became a third regular hostess in 2021. Following Arlen's retirement in 2024, Randy Traynor was promoted to regular host. The drawings are broadcast live and are also streamed online. In the event of technical issues, drawings can be delayed, as happened with the record $2.04 billion jackpot. The game temporarily adjusted its starting jackpot to $20 million in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to discourage crowding at retailers.

Playing Powerball from Canada

Canadian residents are legally permitted to play Powerball. There is significant interest during large jackpot runs, as evidenced by Canadians crossing the border to purchase tickets. A more convenient method is through licensed online lottery purchasing services that act as intermediaries. These services allow Canadian adults to select numbers and purchase official tickets from U.S. lotteries on their behalf. The ticket is held securely, and the service notifies the player of any wins. This process enables participation from anywhere in Canada without the need for physical travel. A major financial consideration for Canadian players is taxation.

Lottery winnings from U.S. lotteries are not subject to Canadian income tax. Winners will, however, be subject to applicable U.S. federal withholding taxes and possibly state taxes, depending on where the winning ticket was purchased. There is no additional Canadian tax liability on top of the U.S. taxes withheld. Players should be aware of the legal age for gambling in their province. The minimum age is 19 years old in most provinces and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. It is also important to use reputable, licensed services to ensure ticket validity and prize collection.

Recent developments and related games

Beyond the core Powerball game, the Multi-State Lottery Association has introduced new, officially licensed games. In September 2026, a separate game called Powerball Xs & Os was launched. This is a weekly draw game held on Sundays, with a ticket price of $5 per play, and it is available in 23 of the 49 lotteries that offer the main Powerball game. The game has an NFL theme, featuring team-based outcomes. A promotional event titled NASCAR Powerball, The Chase to $1 Million advanced four finalists to the 2026 NASCAR Championship Weekend in Miami for a final drawing for a $1 million prize. The international expansion to the United Kingdom, which began ticket sales on July 21, 2026, represents a significant new chapter.

The UK version, operated through Allwyn UK and the National Lottery, differs in several ways. The ticket price is £4, which includes all applicable UK lottery duty, making all prizes tax-free for the winner. The game includes an additional Match 2 prize tier, improving overall odds to about 1 in 14. Jackpot winners in the UK must take the 30-year annuity and cannot opt for the lump sum. The advertised jackpot amount is also a net figure, unlike the gross annuity advertised in the U.S. The first UK £1 million prize for matching five main numbers was won on September 1, 2026.

• Powerball Xs & Os: A separate Sunday draw game launched September 2026, costing $5 per play.
• NASCAR Powerball, The Chase to $1 Million: A 2026 promotional event with a final drawing at NASCAR Championship Weekend.
• UK Expansion: Sales began July 21, 2026, with the first UK-inclusive draw on July 23, 2026.
• UK Ticket Price: £4, inclusive of all UK lottery duty.
• UK Prize Rule: Jackpot winners must take a 30-year annuity payment.
• UK First Win: A £1 million prize for matching five numbers was won on September 1, 2026.

Questions about Powerball

What are the Powerball drawing days and times?

Powerball drawings are held three times a week, every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The drawings take place at the Florida Lottery's draw studio in Tallahassee. The official sales cutoff is 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, though some lotteries close earlier. Drawings are broadcast live and are also streamed online.

How much does a Powerball ticket cost?

In the United States, a basic Powerball play costs $2. For an additional $1 per play, players can add the Power Play multiplier to increase non-jackpot prizes. The Double Play option costs another $1 for a second drawing. In Idaho and Montana, the Power Play is bundled, making the minimum ticket price $3. In the United Kingdom, a ticket costs £4, which includes all applicable lottery duty.

Can Canadians play Powerball?

Yes, Canadian residents can legally play Powerball. Many use licensed online lottery purchasing services that buy official tickets on their behalf. Canadian adults must be of legal age in their province, which is 19+ in most provinces and 18+ in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. Winnings are subject to U.S. taxes but are not taxed again in Canada, though players must use reputable services to ensure ticket validity.

What is the Power Play option?

Power Play is an optional add-on for an extra $1 per play. It multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x. The multiplier is randomly selected for each drawing. The 10x multiplier is only available when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less. The Match 5 prize with Power Play is always set at $2 million, regardless of the multiplier drawn.

When did Powerball expand to the United Kingdom?

Powerball expanded to the United Kingdom in 2026. The expansion was announced by Powerball and Allwyn UK on April 13, 2026, through the National Lottery. Ticket sales began on July 21, 2026, and the first drawing including UK participants was held on July 23, 2026. In the UK, jackpot winners must take a 30-year annuity payout and are not allowed to take a lump sum.

What is the biggest Powerball jackpot ever won?

The biggest Powerball jackpot ever won is $2.04 billion, won by Edwin Castro from a ticket sold in Altadena, California. The drawing was on November 8, 2022, after a one-day delay due to a security protocol issue at the Minnesota Lottery. Castro chose a lump sum payment of $997.6 million. This jackpot is the largest lottery prize in history.

Sources and further reading

• Powerball (Wikipedia)
• Powerball: Home (powerball.com)
• Powerball, Play US Powerball Lottery from Canada (powerball.ca)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-11-10.