Powerball
Powerball is one of the best-known lotteries in the world, with jackpots starting at US$40 million (approximately ₹2.6 billion) that increase until someone wins. Powerball has delivered in some huge wins, including the biggest world lottery jackpot win of all time. The game is played in 45 states and three jurisdictions across the USA, with draws held every Wednesday and Saturday night in Tallahassee, Florida.
How to Play Powerball
Players must select five numbers from 1 to 69 and another Powerball number from 1 to 26 when they buy a ticket. In order to win the jackpot, players must match all five main balls plus the Powerball. In addition to the jackpot, there are eight further prize tiers offering set cash prizes for matching fewer numbers. The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.87.
The Power Play multiplier is drawn separately after the main game and offers players the chance to multiply winnings in the third to ninth prize tiers by between 2 and 5, depending on which Power Play number is drawn. In October 2015, a 10x Power Play multiplier was introduced in draws in which the jackpot is worth US$150 million or less. The second prize tier, which offers a set reward of US$1 million for matching five main numbers, is doubled to US$2 million for those who chose to add the feature to their game, regardless of the Power Play number drawn.
Winners of the Powerball jackpot have a choice about how to receive their winnings. They may opt for the full jackpot amount as an annuity, which is paid yearly in 30 payments over 29 years. The second option is to take their winnings as a smaller single lump sum payment, which is what most winners choose to do.
Powerball Online
Players from India are able to choose numbers online. Visit the How to Play page for more information on taking part in Powerball from overseas.
There are nine different ways to win a prize in the main Powerball game and these awards range from matching just the Powerball to matching all five numbers plus the Powerball. The table below shows the winning prize tiers:
Powerball Prizes
| Prize Category | Prize Amount | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|
| Match 5 plus Powerball | Minimum $40 Million | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| Match 5 | $1 Million | 1 in 11,688,054 |
| Match 4 plus Powerball | $50,000 | 1 in 913,129 |
| Match 4 | $100 | 1 in 36,525 |
| Match 3 plus Powerball | $100 | 1 in 14,494 |
| Match 3 | $7 | 1 in 580 |
| Match 2 plus Powerball | $7 | 1 in 701 |
| Match 1 plus Powerball | $4 | 1 in 92 |
| Match 0 plus Powerball | $4 | 1 in 38 |
Overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are approximately 1 in 25.
Biggest Powerball Jackpots
Powerball is world famous for the huge jackpots it offers to players. Here are the five biggest prizes paid out in the course of the game’s history.
| Amount | Date | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| $1.58 billion (₹106.9 billion) | 13th January 2016 | John and Lisa Robinson of Munford, Tennessee, Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt of Melbourne Beach, Florida and Marvin and Mae Acosta of Chino Hills, California |
| $768 million (₹55 billion) | 27th March 2019 | Manuel Franco from Wisconsin |
| $758.7 million (₹48.6 billion) | 23rd August 2017 | Mavis Wanczyk from Massachusetts |
| $687 million (₹49.2 billion) | 27th October 2018 | Lerynne West of Iowa and Robert Bailey of New York |
| $590 million (₹42.2 billion) | 18th November 2013 | Gloria MacKenzie from Zephyrhills, Florida |
Powerball FAQs
1. Can I Play Powerball from India?
Yes, you can play Powerball from India or anywhere else in the world. Learn more about how to choose your numbers online by visiting the How to Play page.
To Top2. How Do I Play Powerball from India?
Simply visit the Lottery Tickets page and select the 'Click Here to Play Now' button. Players must choose five numbers between 1 and 69 followed by one Powerball number from a second pool of numbers between 1 and 26.
3. What is Power Play?
After the main Powerball draw has taken place, a separate Power Play number will be drawn. Every player who has opted to add Power Play to their ticket and has won a prize in the third to ninth prize tiers will see their standard prize multiplied by the number drawn, while winners in the second prize tier will see their winnings doubled to US$2 million whatever the Power Play ball. A Power Play of 2x, 3x, 4x or 5x is available in all draws, while a 10x Power Play multiplier can appear in draws where the jackpot is worth US$150 million or less. The Power Play feature does not apply to jackpot winnings.
4. Can I Play Powerball from Any Indian State?
Yes. Indian lottery laws only apply to lotteries operating within India and do not apply to Indian citizens playing lotteries that operate in other countries.
5. How Do I Collect Powerball Winnings?
When you play Powerball online, winnings are automatically paid into your player account. These winnings can then be used either to buy more lottery tickets or withdrawn via your chosen method of payment.
6. How Long Do I Have to Collect My Powerball Winnings?
Should you be lucky enough to win a prize, you will be informed of your win via text message or email shortly after the draw takes place. Winnings are transferred immediately to your online account for you to spend again or to withdraw.
7. Is There Any Tax to Pay on Powerball Prizes?
Tax is not withheld from your prize when you win, but you may be liable to income tax depending on the value and your personal circumstances.
8. Do I Need to Pay a Fee to Collect Powerball Winnings?
No. Playing online means you receive 100% of any prize amounts won.
Mega Jackpots
The Powerball jackpot broke the $1 billion barrier for the first time in January 2016 following a series of rollovers and an enormous demand for tickets. It eventually hit $1.58 billion (₹106.9 billion) and was shared by three ticket holders. John and Lisa Robinson of Munford, Tennessee, Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt of Melbourne Beach, Florida and Marvin and Mae Acosta of Chino Hills, California each claimed a share of the ten-figure prize in the draw on Wednesday 13th January 2016. Previously, the largest jackpot ever won on Powerball was worth US$590.5 million and was scooped by Florida resident Gloria MacKenzie in May 2013, who was the largest single ticket winner at the time.
Winners of the Powerball jackpot have a choice to take their winnings either in one single lump sum amount or in an annuity payout, where the total amount of the jackpot is awarded in 30 payments over 29 years.
Another reason why Powerball is played by so many lottery fans across the world is the fixed second-tier prize of US$1 million, which is awarded for matching the five main numbers drawn. Such a large non-jackpot sum is very rare compared to other lotteries and ultimately makes Powerball an extremely popular lottery to play. Apart from the jackpot, all the other prize tiers are also guaranteed, meaning you will receive the advertised amount no matter how many other players match the same number of balls as you.