How to Play Powerball (USA)
The US game called Powerball is synonymous with big wins, even jackpots that are worth over $2 billion. That’s over ZAR30 billion! The good news is anyone can take part in this exhilarating lottery game, even when you’re playing from South Africa.
We’ve compiled a complete guide to help you get in on the action along with the rest of the world. Below we’ll help you understand everything from online lottery platforms to claiming US Powerball prizes and what it will cost you to play. It’s your time to win big!
Contents
In a Hurry?
The basic US Powerball data is summarised below, to get you up to date at a glance.
| Numbers to win the jackpot | 6 (5 Main + 1 Powerball) |
|---|---|
| Jackpot type | Rollover |
| Number range | 1 – 69 & 1 – 26 |
| Prize categories | 9 |
| Draw days | Monday, Wednesday, Saturday (US) Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday (SA time) |
| Draw time (SA Time) | 10:59 EST (4:59 am SAST) |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Claim period | Average: 180 days (depends on state where ticket is issued) |
| Jackpot odds | 1:292,201,338.00 |
| Biggest Jackpot | $2.04 billion (~ZAR 36 billion) (Update: September 2023) |
US Powerball Basics and Rules
When playing for such high stakes, you want to get it right from the start. Our information on pricing, game structure and more will help you enjoy this lottery, while also making sure you don’t miss out on a major win because of a silly mistake.
Playing USA Powerball
You can play US Powerball in a variety of ways from buying your own physical tickets in America when you’re there, to using lottery agents like Lotto Agent to buy them on your behalf. For each method of play there are strict rules, and we summarise the most important:
| Feature | Rules | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legal age to play | 18 | Online lottery sites and a local US vendor have the right to verify your age before selling you a ticket. |
| Ticket pricing | Standard ticket price: $2 (~ZAR36.00) |
|
Rules and Structure
Whether playing in person in the US or buying tickets online from South Africa, tickets are available throughout the week. An easy option for anyone not sure which numbers to trust is to use online US Powerball number prediction tools. Whether you use tools like this, Quick Pick features or your own lucky numbers, the same basic game rules apply.
Understanding the US Powerball Structure
When you play Powerball the following factors form part of the game structure:
- Main numbers: Select 5 numbers between 1 and 69.
- Powerball number: Select 1 number between 1 and 26.
- Powerplay: An optional extra is paying extra for Powerplay, which can result in your prize being multiplied by the Multiplier number selected before each draw. A multiplier can be 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10.
For this American lottery the operators use traditional lottery machines with numbered balls. Depending on how many numbers you match, you can win a prize from one of 9 prize categories. You must match the main numbers AND the Powerball number to win the jackpot.
Drawings and Prizes
An attractive feature of Powerball is that instead of only having two draws a week, as is the case with the country’s Mega Millions lottery, there are three chances of winning each week:
- Mondays
- Wednesdays
- Saturdays
The draws happen late in the evening in Florida, which means it’s already past midnight in South Africa. For this reason, SA locals can look for results around 5 am on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings.
Unlike South Africa’s own Powerball where ticket sales determine the size of most of the prizes, 8 of the 9 US Powerball prize tiers have set prizes. Only the jackpot’s final amount for each draw is determined by sales.
This table showcases all nine categories you can win prizes in:
| Category | General Numbers | Powerball | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 1 | Jackpot (based on sales) |
| 2 | 5 | 0 | $1,000,000 (~ZAR18,000,000) |
| 3 | 4 | 1 | $50,000 (~ZAR 900,000) |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | $100 (~ZAR1,800) |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | $100 (~ZAR1,800) |
| 6 | 3 | 0 | $7 (~ZAR126) |
| 7 | 2 | 1 | $7 (~ZAR126) |
| 8 | 1 | 1 | $4 (~ZAR72) |
| 9 | 0 | 1 | $4 (~ZAR72) |
If you play Powerball while in the US, note that there are a few states that opt for the pari-mutuel prize system. This means prize money is affected by a prize pool, and all winners share the available funds. However, when South Africans use online lottery sites like theLotter, the above prize tiers will usually apply.
Also remember the benefit of using Power Play options. Your prize will be multiplied by the multiplier number, if you picked the same number as the one drawn.
To get your prize money for this US based lottery, your options are shown below:
| Method of Play | Claiming a prize |
|---|---|
| Purchased at a registered US brick-and-mortar retailer | Visit any retailer to claim, or go to lottery headquarters if your prize is more than $599. |
| Using some states’ online ticket services | Receive amounts smaller than $599 through automated payments, and initiate a claims process via email or at a claims centre if your prize money exceeds $600. This service is often only available for citizens of the state hosting the app or website. |
| Play from anywhere in the world, using lottery sites | Most payments happen automatically, but review the platform’s policies, as you may need to travel to claim large prizes in person. |
How to Buy a US Powerball Lottery Ticket
The first step in buying your Powerball ticket is to budget in order to play responsibly. Ticket prices purchased directly from the operator’s registered partners may differ from those of online platforms. To plan your future plays, review the ticket price details in our table below.
| Method of playing US Powerball | Powerball Cost | Power Play Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase from registered retailer, or use official Powerball apps and websites | $2 (~ZAR36) | $1 (~ZAR36) |
| Online lottery sites |
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Make sure you get your tickets in time to be eligible for a specific day’s draw, by getting tickets before cut off times, that are usually 1 or 2 hours before the draw. For South Africans, that will be 3 am or 4 am on each draw day.
Do note that if you’re playing this lottery while in the US, cut off times will be determined by the Powerball rules of the state where your ticket is issued. Here’s a quick reference guide:
| State | SA Time | Cut-off time* |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 3:59 am | 6:59 pm |
| Arkansas | 3:59 am | 8:59 pm |
| California | 3:59 am | 7 pm |
| Colorado | 3:30 am | 7:30 pm |
| Connecticut | 4:00 am | 10 pm |
| Delaware | 3:45 am | 9:45 pm |
| District of Columbia | 3:45 am | 9:45 pm |
| Florida | 4:00 am | 10 pm |
| Georgia | 4:00 am | 10 pm |
| Idaho | 3:54 am | 7:54 pm |
| Illinois | 4:00 am | 9 pm |
| Indiana | 3:58 am | 9:58 pm |
| Iowa | 3:59 am | 8:59 pm |
| Kansas | 3:59 am | 8:59 pm |
| Kentucky | 4:00 am | 10 pm |
| Louisiana | 4:00 am | 9 pm |
| Maine | 3:50 am | 9:50 pm |
| Maryland | 3:59 am | 9:59 pm |
| Massachusetts | 3:50 am | 9:50 pm |
| Michigan | 3:45 am | 9:45 pm |
| Minnesota | 4:00 am | 9 pm |
| Mississippi | 3:54 am | 8:54 pm |
| Missouri | 3:59 am | 8:59 pm |
| Montana | 4:00 am | 8 pm |
| Nebraska | 4:00 am | 9 pm |
| New Hampshire | 3:50 am | 9:50 pm |
| New Jersey | 3:59 am | 9:59 pm |
| New Mexico | 4:00 am | 8 pm |
| New York | 4:00 am | 10 pm |
| North Carolina | 3:59 am | 9:59 pm |
| North Dakota | 3:58 am | 8:58 pm |
| Ohio | 4:00 am | 10 pm |
| Oklahoma | 3:59 am | 8:59 pm |
| Oregon | 4:00 am | 7 pm |
| Pennsylvania | 3:59 am | 9:59 pm |
| Puerto Rico | 4:59 am | 10:59 pm |
| Rhode Island | 3:50 am | 9:50 pm |
| South Carolina | 3:59 am | 9:59 pm |
| South Dakota | 5:00 am | 9 pm |
| Tennessee | 4:00 am | 9 pm |
| Texas | 4:00 am | 9 pm |
| US Virgin Islands | 4:00 am | 10 pm |
| Vermont | 3:50 am | 9:50 pm |
| Virginia | 4:00 am | 10 pm |
| Washington | 3:45 am | 6:45 pm |
| West Virginia | 3:59 am | 9:59 pm |
| Wisconsin | 4:00 am | 9 pm |
| Wyoming | 3:59 am | 7:59 pm |
*based on each state’s local time zone
For international players using online lottery sites to bet on the outcome or purchase official tickets on their behalf, check the vendor’s policies.
If you want to play US Powerball while in SA or abroad, let’s take you through step by step instructions of each method of playing this exciting game:
- Official outlets
- Local state lottery platforms
- Online lottery sites online
How to Play US Powerball Online
With the help of online lottery sites, you can play the American Powerball game no matter where you are in the world. These vendors will either help you buy official tickets or allow you to bet on a draw’s outcome. For either of these services, the processes will involve steps mentioned below.
1. Find a site – Pick a reputable site offering US Powerball and which offers your preferred method of payment.
2. Register – Anyone can open an account for free as long as you can prove age, identity and some other personal details.
3. Transfer money – You need available funds in your player’s account to pay for tickets.
4. Open US Powerball page – Popular lotteries like Powerball and EuroMillions often have clearly displayed icons to click on.
Source: theLotter
5. Select lines and numbers – Choose how many lines to play and select 5 main numbers and 1 Powerball number. Use Quick Pick/Easy Pick options to have random numbers assigned to a line. Using a US Powerball random number generator also simplifies this step in the process.
6. Tick Powerplay – It’s an optional add on to the game, so make sure to tick the box to increase your chances of winning.
Source: theLotter
7. Set number of draws to enter – With subscriptions and multi-draw features your numbers automatically get entered into more draws.
Source: theLotter
8. Pay your ticket – Confirm that the ticket information is finalised and pay, so the amount will be subtracted from your player’s account.
9. Wait for draw day – Online platforms send automated payments to winners and you’ll be notified, but it’s still fun to review USA Powerball results and compare numbers yourself!
In some instances, when the vendor purchased real tickets for your use, you may need to travel and claim in person if you win a jackpot prize. They’ll provide you with the physical ticket and you can then make the claim. Review your online lottery platform’s policies to understand implications of winning big.
How to Play USA Powerball In-Store
Anyone in the US can play Powerball in one of the participating states. State lotteries sell physical tickets at:
- Grocery stores
- Fuel stations
- Convenience stores
- Certain airport terminals
The process in store will look something like this:
1. Get a play slip – Fill in your lucky numbers on a Powerball play slip supplied by the outlet.
2. Pick first 5 numbers – On the slip’s first field of numbers, indicate the 5 main numbers you want to play.
3. Pick your Powerball – In the second field on the slip, with numbers from 1 to 26, select your Powerball number.
4. Select Powerplay – You need to tick a box to have your ticket be eligible for the Powerplay game feature.
5. Confirm additional options – You can select to use the same numbers for additional draws by ticking a box. You must also indicate if you prefer annuity or lump sum jackpot payments.
6. Hand in slip – Give the retailer your ticket.
Note: If you prefer to use Quick Pick you don’t have to use the play slip. Simply tell the retailer to have the lottery terminal assign random numbers to your ticket.
7. Pay your ticket- Cash is the most widely accepted. Only some states will accept credit cards, debit cards or gift cards as payment.
8. Get your ticket – The terminal will produce a printed ticket for you.
9. Sign your ticket – Your signature will serve as proof of ownership when claiming a prize.
10. Watch the draw – You can watch the draw live or go online to find Powerball results.
11. Make your claim – With in-person purchased tickets it’s up to you to claim your prize. Visit a retail outlet, or a lottery office if you’ve won $600 or more.
How to Play US Powerball via Lottery Apps & More
Only a few state lotteries host apps and websites through which you can buy Powerball tickets. Other states may have apps, but they only offer limited services, such as sharing winning numbers or finding a lottery retailer.
The list of states with apps to buy Powerball tickets is:
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Georgia
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Kentucky
- Illinois
- Virginia
However, you must live in the state to make use of its service.
Steps to play Powerball using these apps will include:
1. Download the app or open the website – With websites and apps available, you can play on your PC or mobile phone.
2. Register an account – Provide basic personal information and accept Terms and Conditions to activate your profile.
3. Add a payment method – Link a debit or credit card to deposit funds in order to start buying tickets. Note that some banks don’t automatically allow these purchases, so contact your bank first to confirm.
4. Pick the Powerball game – Platforms and apps usually offer multiple lottery games to pick from.
5. Pick numbers – Pick 5 main numbers and your Powerball number from the separate grid.
6. Add to cart – You can play multiple games and pay for everything at once.
7. Pay – Complete the purchase, so the Powerball ticket will be confirmed for your player profile.
8. Check draw results – You can compare winning numbers with your own, but the state lotteries usually inform winners automatically.
9. Get your money – Lotteries pay out up to $600 into player accounts. Bigger prizes require a claim by mail or email or you can visit a lottery centre.
How to Know if You Won the USA Powerball Lottery?
South Africans playing US Powerball online will usually get automated notifications. However, here’s a full summary of how players can confirm if they’ve won a prize.
| Method of Play | How to Know You’ve Won |
|---|---|
| In store in participating US states | Get the Powerball results online or by watching the draw. See how many correct numbers you have. |
| Online lottery sites | Lottery sites inform their players of wins via text or email, or you can compare manually. |
| State lottery apps and websites | Receive email or check your player profile. |
What Happens If You Win the US Powerball Lottery?
An important part of how to play Powerball is to make sure you get your money and make the most of it. Here are important facts to consider:
- US prize payouts: Up to $599 can easily be claimed at retailers in the US or paid out by state lotteries into online accounts. For bigger prizes, you must initiate a claim via email, via post or by visiting a lottery office.
- International prize payouts: Players using online lottery sites can receive winnings automatically but large prizes may require in-person claims. For this you’ll need to travel to the US, but luckily the vendor usually pays some of the travel fees.
- Lump sum or annuity: Unlike SA lotteries such as Lotto or the local SA Powerball, you don’t have to receive your jackpot prize as a lump sum. You also have the option of getting annuity payments over the course of the next 29 years. It’s up to you to choose which option is best for you.
- Anonymity: Jackpot winners have the right to stay anonymous, but only in certain states. Online players need to review lottery site policies to confirm if they can claim jackpots without revealing their identity.
Final Thoughts
You can be just a few steps away from winning prizes in the American lottery that has paid out some of the biggest prizes in lottery history. Powerball is open to anyone thanks to technology and reputable online lottery sites, so there’s no reason not to take part!
Use the guidelines above to know how to play US Powerball and play with confidence – and never miss out on a draw that could have earned you millions!
FAQs
When in America you can buy Powerball tickets at local retail outlets. International players use online lottery sites that offer the service of buying real tickets on players’ behalf.
Luckily, thanks to online lottery sites, almost anyone can play Powerball, no matter where you are in the world. Online lottery sites give people access to the world’s lotteries and the platforms are available in most countries, including South Africa.
Similar to South African games, including Daily Lotto, Powerball players must be 18 years or older.
On average, ticket sales close 1 or 2 hours before a draw. Rules differ between US states and online lottery sites may also have unique guidelines on the cut off times to buy tickets.
In the US, retailers sell tickets for $2 and the Powerplay costs an additional $1. International players that use lottery sites will pay a little more because you pay service fees as well.
Yes, whether playing in store or online, you can choose your own set of lucky numbers. There’s also the option of Quick Picks that will assign random numbers to your ticket or you can use mathematics and historical US Powerball results to determine which numbers are most likely to be drawn next.
The game setup for US Powerball requires you to pick six numbers in total. You need to pick five main numbers and one Powerball. The jackpot is won if you match all six of them with the numbers drawn.
This game takes place three times a week. In the US, it’s at 22:59 EST on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. For South African players this will be around 5 am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
America does charge tax on lottery winnings and for international players lottery sites usually pay out prize money to the equivalent of what a local US citizen will receive after tax deductions. Although South Africans don’t pay lottery taxes for local games, you should consult a tax lawyer about rules that apply when receiving money for an international lottery.
In November 2022, the US Powerball jackpot grew to $2.04 billion (~ZAR 36 billion). It was finally won by someone in California.
Powerball has no jackpot cap, so the prize money rolls over each time it’s not won. Unlike Eurojackpot, there’s no limit to how many times it can roll over.
For US players, the average time during which you need to make your claim is 180 days from the draw. Some states allow up to 1 year.