Don't want to wade through pages of detail? Our Powerball FAQs covers everything you need to know in bite sized chunks ? 29 questions and answers to be precise.
From questions about playing online to questions about the prize divisions, our FAQs cover almost all bases. And if they don't, feel free to contact us anytime and we'll answer.
Yes. There are no restrictions that prohibit non-US citizens or residents from playing the Powerball lottery.
Yes, you can. To find out more, visit our How to Play Powerball section.
All you have to do is pick your numbers, the same as you would do if you physically had the ticket in front of you, and then you purchase the ticket.
You only have to share the prize money if there are more winners.
Powerball is played every Wednesday and Saturday.
The Powerball draw takes place at 22:59 EST on Wednesday and on Saturday.
the draw times are:
The official cut-off time for ticket sales is described as 'at least 59 minutes before the draw takes place'. This is the same when you play online.
Choose five main draw numbers from 1-69, and one Powerball from 1-26. Tickets cost US $2, with US $1 extra for the Power Play option (see below for more details).
Prizes range from the jackpot for matching all five main numbers and the Powerball, to a payout for matching only the Powerball. There are also prizes for matching 3, 4 or 5 main numbers without the Powerball.
| Matched Numbers | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + Powerball | Jackpot | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| 5 | US $1,000,000 | 1 in 11,688,054 |
| 4 + Powerball | US $50,000 | 1 in 913,129 |
| 4 | US $100 | 1 in 36,525 |
| 3 + Powerball | US $100 | 1 in 14,494 |
| 3 | US $7 | 1 in 580 |
| 2 + Powerball | US $7 | 1 in 701 |
| 1 + Powerball | US $4 | 1 in 92 |
| 0 + Powerball | US $4 | 1 in 38 |
For an extra US $1 per ticket you can add Power Play. This is one extra number selected by a random number generator from a pool of 42 and marked with a multiplier from 2x to 5x (a 43rd marked 10x is added if the main draw jackpot is less than US $150 million). Power Play doubles the US $1 million prize to US $2 million, and increases all other non-jackpot wins according to the number on the multiplier.
| Power Play Multiplier | 2x | 3x | 4x | 5x |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odds | 1 in 1.75 | 1 in 3.23 | 1 in 14 | 1 in 21 |
| 5-ball prize: US $2 million. All other prizes multiplied by the number on the selected multiplier. | ||||
| Power Play Multiplier | 2x | 3x | 4x | 5x | 10x |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odds | 1 in 1.79 | 1 in 3.31 | 1 in 14.33 | 1 in 21.5 | 1 in 43 |
| 5-ball prize: US $2 million. All other prizes multiplied by the number on the selected multiplier. | |||||
Most prizes can be claimed automatically online, without the need to visit the USA in person.
There is no jackpot limit for the Powerball game. It keeps growing until it's won.
The starting jackpot has been removed. The value is now set based on ticket sales and interest rates.
To play Powerball online you need to be at least 18 years old. In most provinces it's also 18 years old however, we strongly advise that you respect the rules of the province in which you reside.
There is a 1 in 292,201,338 chance for you to win the Powerball jackpot.
Your overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.87.
Powerball is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The largest Powerball until now was won on and it was worth US $1.58 billion. This prize was split three ways, and so each ticket holder received US $327.8 million.
No, there is no tax on lottery wins.
A major benefit of playing Powerball online is that your winnings are paid directly into your account. With the exception of multi-million dollar wins, which in some cases may need to be collected in person.
Usually the money is used to fund educational programmes or in future prize pools. This type of info is available on the website of each state lottery operator.
If you play online this can't happen.
No, we don't sell or re-sell any Powerball tickets whatsoever. We simply provide advice and access to online lottery services.
No. The rules stay the same regardless if you purchase tickets online or from traditional outlets.
Absolutely not. Powerball.ca doesn't ask you for any commissions regardless of whether you win or not.
Most online messenger services allow you to buy tickets for future draws. This is especially true when you subscribe to a service.
A syndicate is a group of people buying a large amount of lines. You pay a small fee which buys you a share in a syndicate. In turn, the syndicate buys multiple lines, usually 50-100, in a given draw.
The benefits are simple - you get to play more lines which improves your chance of winning. The downside is you��ll have to share your winnings with other people.
Most online lottery services operate syndicates. Register as normal and select the syndicate option.