1. Game Overview

Powerball is a multi-state lottery game played across 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players select numbers for a chance to win massive jackpots and secondary prizes.

2. How to Play

Number Selection:

  • Choose 5 numbers from 1 to 69 (white balls).
  • Choose 1 Powerball number from 1 to 26 (red ball).
  • Alternatively, opt for a Quick Pick to have numbers randomly generated.

Ticket Cost:

  • $2 per play.
  • Add Power Play for an extra $1 to multiply non-jackpot prizes (see Section 4).

Check out more on how to play Powerball here!

3. Draw Schedule

  • Drawings occur every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET.
  • Ticket sales close 1–2 hours before the draw (varies by state).

4. Power Play Option

  • For an additional $1, non-jackpot prizes are multiplied by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x.
  • The multiplier is randomly selected before each draw.

Exceptions:

  • The Match 5 prize (5 white balls, no Powerball) is fixed at $1 million and not multiplied.
  • The 10x multiplier applies only when the jackpot is below $150 million.

5. Prize Tiers & Odds

Match Powerball? Prize (Base) Odds of Winning
5 + 1 Yes Jackpot 1 in 292,201,338
5 No $1,000,000 1 in 11,688,053.52
4 + 1 Yes $50,000 1 in 913,129.18
4 No $100 1 in 36,525.17
3 + 1 Yes $100 1 in 14,494.11
3 No $7 1 in 579.76
2 + 1 Yes $7 1 in 701.33
1 + 1 Yes $4 1 in 91.98
0 + 1 Yes $4 1 in 38.32

6. Jackpot Payout Options

Annuity:

  • Jackpot is paid in 30 graduated installments over 29 years.
  • Each payment increases by 5% annually to account for inflation.

Cash Lump Sum:

  • Receive a one-time payment equal to the current cash value of the jackpot (approximately 50–60% of the advertised annuity value).

7. Claiming Prizes

  • Small Prizes (≤ $600): Can be claimed at authorized retailers or lottery offices.
  • Large Prizes (> $600): Must be claimed at a lottery office.
  • Deadlines: Vary by state (typically 90 days to 1 year from the draw date).

8. Tax Rules

Federal Taxes:

  • 24% mandatory withholding on prizes > $5,000.
  • Remaining amount subject to federal income tax (up to 37%).

State Taxes:

  • Varies by state (e.g., California taxes 0%, New York up to 8.82%).
  • Some states also impose local taxes.

9. Eligibility & Sales Restrictions

  • Players must be at least 18 years old (19+ in Nebraska; 21+ in Arizona).
  • Tickets cannot be purchased online across state lines (check your state’s official lottery website for online sales).

10. Historical Changes

October 2015:

  • White ball numbers expanded from 1–59 to 1–69.
  • Powerball numbers reduced from 1–35 to 1–26.
  • Jackpot odds worsened from 1 in 175 million to 1 in 292 million.

11. Key Notes

  • Multiple Winners: Jackpots are split equally among winners.
  • Unclaimed Prizes: Funds revert to state lottery programs (e.g., education, infrastructure).

For the most accurate and updated rules, visit the official Powerball website:https://www.powerball.com

This summary complies with U.S. lottery regulations as of October 2023. Always verify rules with your state lottery authority.