Sales for a new, enhanced version of the Powerball multi-state lottery game will begin on Sunday, August 28.
The new game will feature the country's largest opening jackpot, faster growing jackpots and bigger second-tier prizes that will allow players matching five white ball numbers to win up to $1 million.
The Powerball opening jackpot will increase from $10 million to $15 million. Powerball's second-tier prize for matching five white ball numbers (without matching the red Powerball number) will double, increasing from the current $100,000 to $200,000.
With the PowerPlay feature, players who match five white ball numbers will have the chance to win $1 million. The first Powerball drawing to feature the new changes will be on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
"The improvements to Powerball will make the game more exciting," said Lottery Executive Director Ed Mahlman. "Powerball soon will have the largest opening jackpot in American Lottery history.
"Powerball jackpots will also increase faster, in at least $5 million increments."
To increase the average Powerball jackpot size, two white ball numbers will be added, changing the jackpot odds to 1-in-146.1 million; the current game has jackpot odds of 1-in-120.5 million. The overall odds of winning a cash prize will remain virtually the same, at 1-in-36.60, up slightly from the current 1-in-36.06.
To prepare for the changes to the game, it will be necessary to step-down Powerball's advance-play feature. Powerball and PowerPlay tickets may be purchased up to 13 weeks (26 draws) in advance. Beginning with the June 4 drawing, there no longer will be 26 draws remaining in the current version of the Powerball game. The last opportunity to purchase 13 weeks (26 draws) of Powerball in its current matrix will be Wednesday, June 1. The number of advance draws available for purchase will continue to decrease by one until only one drawing in the current schedule remains.
Powerball tickets will be on sale for the new, enhanced version beginning Sunday, Aug. 28. At that time, players again will be able to purchase up to 13 weeks (26 draws) of advance-play tickets.
This will be the fourth version of Powerball since it was introduced in April 1992. The Pennsylvania Lottery joined the multi-jurisdictional game in June 2002. In the past three years, Pennsylvania has sold nine jackpot- winning Powerball tickets totaling more than $425 million cash.
Powerball tickets are currently sold in 29 participating jurisdictions - 27 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands.
I'm looking forward to the changes. I do wish they had also reduced the years for the annuity option to match what MegaMillions is. It would mean a higher cash option!
If they really want to make a change, they would pay me the full amount I played for on the ticket and if I chose to take a lump sum instead of annuity payments the taxes would be taken out of the portion they kept, not my half. Now, that's what I would call a change. But that's just me...
They're only changing the game because so many tickets were hitting early in the year. From January through February, they had four winners, averaging ~$19.2 million. Since March, the same number of tickets won, but averaging ~$66 million.
If PB would have just waited, they wouldn't have to have changed the odds on the game.
They're only changing the game because so many tickets were hitting early in the year. From January through February, they had four winners, averaging ~$19.2 million. Since March, the same number of tickets won, but averaging ~$66 million.
If PB would have just waited, they wouldn't have to have changed the odds on the game.
But I do like the increases in payouts.
That's not the only reason they changed. They have added a lot of states the past 2 years. Plus with Mega Millions adding California and changing their matrix, PB needed to change their matrix in order to compete.
I was the one responsible for letting Powerball go from 53 White Balls to 55 White Balls. I think Powerball and Mega Millions will fight out which one will get their highest jackpot in North American history.
I was the one responsible for letting Powerball go from 53 White Balls to 55 White Balls. I think Powerball and Mega Millions will fight out which one will get their highest jackpot in North American history.
I was responsible to write letters to Powerball to help them want to increase their sales. I also heard about the news back in April from CNN about Powerball losing their sales.
I was responsible to write letters to Powerball to help them want to increase their sales. I also heard about the news back in April from CNN about Powerball losing their sales.
I like these changes a lot. A bit overdue though.
I'm looking forward to the changes. I do wish they had also reduced the years for the annuity option to match what MegaMillions is. It would mean a higher cash option!
I can't wait to see how players respond to the possible higher jackpots and prizes.
I'm just wondering if there will be a record jackpot after Mega makes it's changes. Might steal all the publicity away from Powerball.
If they really want to make a change, they would pay me the full amount I played for on the ticket and if I chose to take a lump sum instead of annuity payments the taxes would be taken out of the portion they kept, not my half. Now, that's what I would call a change. But that's just me...
Bryan :)
They're only changing the game because so many tickets were hitting early in the year. From January through February, they had four winners, averaging ~$19.2 million. Since March, the same number of tickets won, but averaging ~$66 million.
If PB would have just waited, they wouldn't have to have changed the odds on the game.
But I do like the increases in payouts.
They're only changing the game because so many tickets were hitting early in the year. From January through February, they had four winners, averaging ~$19.2 million. Since March, the same number of tickets won, but averaging ~$66 million.
If PB would have just waited, they wouldn't have to have changed the odds on the game.
But I do like the increases in payouts.
That's not the only reason they changed. They have added a lot of states the past 2 years. Plus with Mega Millions adding California and changing their matrix, PB needed to change their matrix in order to compete.
I was the one responsible for letting Powerball go from 53 White Balls to 55 White Balls. I think Powerball and Mega Millions will fight out which one will get their highest jackpot in North American history.
I was the one responsible for letting Powerball go from 53 White Balls to 55 White Balls. I think Powerball and Mega Millions will fight out which one will get their highest jackpot in North American history.
How were you responsible for the change?
120 million to 1 or 146 million to 1, what's the difference? They're still only going to get 3 bucks from me.
Sometimes I play more than $3.
I usually only play $2 unless the pot gets real high *and* I feel really lucky then I play $5.
I was responsible to write letters to Powerball to help them want to increase their sales. I also heard about the news back in April from CNN about Powerball losing their sales.
I was responsible to write letters to Powerball to help them want to increase their sales. I also heard about the news back in April from CNN about Powerball losing their sales.
I see, thanks.