The deadline for purchasing a Powerball ticket varies by state. So don’t wait until the last minute. The New Jersey deadline is 9:59 p.m. on the day of the drawing, while the New York deadline is 10:00 p.m
Click here for a complete list of Powerball ticket cutoff times by state or jurisdiction.
The cost is $2 per ticket, but you can add the Power Play for $1, which increases the amount of your potential win to five times the original prize (excluding Jackpot and Match 5). There is also a 10x Power Play opportunity if the jackpot is less than $150 million.
Each player chooses five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. You can also have the lottery machine generate a quick voting slip with random numbers.
Prizes vary from $4 for matching the Powerball, to $1 million for matching all five white balls (except in California), to the jackpot for matching all six balls. You can view all winning payouts here on the Powerball website.
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Where is the Powerball available?
You can play the game in 45 states as well as Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
More: What would you do if you won the Powerball lottery? The survey answers might surprise you
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery courier, in these states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington DC and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and collect your winnings – all from your phone or home computer.
Winner: New Jersey grandmother of 10 plans Disney trip after winning $1 million on Powerball
How can I watch Powerball drawing?
The Powerball drawing will be broadcast live on the lottery website at 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. You can view the drawing by clicking here.
The giveaway may also be broadcast on a local television station in your market.
What are my chances of winning?
Playing Powerball can be exciting, but don’t spend the millions before you win.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 292,201,338 to 1.
The odds of hitting all five white balls are 11,688,053 to 1.
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Capital or pension?
Major lotteries in the United States offer two jackpot payout options: annuity and cash.
The annuity option is paid out over time. There is an immediate payment and then 29 annual payments, increasing by 5% each year.
The cash option is significantly lower than the advertised jackpot, but is paid out in a flat rate. You don’t have to wait decades for all the money.
Can I win the jackpot and remain anonymous?
In some states, such as New Jersey, you can win the lottery anonymously. It wasn’t always that way, but now winners can remain anonymous under a law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy.
In other states, a winner’s name and hometown are public record. Contact your state lottery for more information.
Top 10 Biggest Powerball Jackpots
Here are the top 10 jackpots since the Powerball lottery began in 1992:
$2.04 billion, November 7, 2022: Won in California
$1.765 billion, October 11, 2023: Won in California
$1.586 billion, January 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
$1.326 billion, April 6, 2024: Won in Oregon
$1.08 billion, July 19, 2023: Won in California
$842.4 million, January 1, 2024: Won in Michigan
$768.4 million, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin
$758.7 million, August 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts
$754.6 million, February 6, 2023: Won in Washington
$731.1 million, January 20, 2021: Won in Maryland
What was the largest US lottery jackpot of all time?
Here’s a look at the highest jackpots won in the United States between the Powerball and Mega Millions lottery:
$2.04 billion, Powerball, November 7, 2022: Won in California
$1.765 billion, Powerball, October 11, 2023: Won in California
$1.602 billion, Mega Millions, August 8, 2023: Won in Florida
$1.586 billion, Powerball, January 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
$1.537 billion, Mega Millions, October 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
$1.348 billion, Mega Millions, January 13, 2022: Won in Maine
$1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois
$1.326 billion, Powerball, April 6, 2024: Won in Oregon
$1.128 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, 2024: Won in New Jersey
$1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: Won in California
$1.05 billion, Mega Millions, January 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
$944 million, Mega Millions, December 24 :$842.4 million, Powerball, January 1, 2024: Won in Michigan
$810 million, Mega Millions, September 10, 2024: Won in Texas
$768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin
$758.7 million, Powerball, August 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts
$754.6 million, Powerball: February 6, 2023: Won in Washington
$731.1 million, Powerball, January 20, 2021: Won in Maryland
$699.8 million, Powerball, October 4, 2021: Won in California
$687.8 million, Powerball, October 27, 2018: Two winners in Iowa, New York
Gambling problem?
If you need help with a gambling problem, you can get help by calling 1800-GAMBLER or clicking on www.800gambler.org
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may generate revenue through audience referrals to Jackpocket Services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Please see jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.
