What would you do if you won $2.04 billion? While it’s just a dream for most of us, Edwin Castro from Altadena, California, won this amount in the November 2022 Powerball jackpot. Although he only took home $997.6 million after taxes, this is still one of the largest lottery jackpots to date.
Powerball is the biggest multi-state lottery game in the US. Players usually buy tickets from any authorised lottery retailer nationwide to participate. However, Powerball Lottoland sells Powerball tickets online internationally, which means you can still participate from anywhere in the world. But how exactly does this game work? Keep reading to find out all the details you need to know.
Understanding Powerball
Like all other lotteries, Powerball is a game of chance. However, it has produced some of the biggest jackpot wins in the USA. It was launched in April 1992, four years after its debut as Lotto America.
As of today, the Powerball lottery is managed by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), which also manages Mega Millions. Residents of 45 states, plus the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, can purchase tickets from local retailers to participate. The draws are held three days a week: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
How to Play Powerball
1. Get Your Ticket
To play the Powerball Lotto, start by visiting an authorised Powerball retailer in your area. It can be a convenience store, gas station, or a supermarket. Normally, any outlet that sells these tickets usually displays the Powerball logo.
If you can’t find tickets in your state, you can play online via the Powerball Lottoland website. However, before you do, check local regulations to ensure you are not breaking any laws because complications may arise if you win.
2. Choose Your Numbers
Once you have your ticket, you can either select your own numbers or opt for a “Quick Pick,” where the system randomly generates them for you. You’ll choose five white balls from a pool of numbers ranging from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26.
You can also add the Power Play option for an extra $1. This multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times, but it doesn’t increase your chances of winning.
The multiplier number is randomly selected before each drawing. If you want to play the chosen numbers in subsequent draws, select how many times you wish to play them in the Multi-Draws area.
3. Pick How You Want to Be Paid
Powerball requires you to select how you want to be paid in case you win. You can either be paid in 30 annual instalments or a single payment. This is important to keep in mind because you cannot change later when you win.
4. Pay and Play
Once you’ve finalised your selections, pay for your tickets at the retailer. Each ticket costs $2, so you’ll pay $3 if you choose the Power Play. Remember, you must be over 18 years old to participate in the Powerball lottery.
Also, remember to check the drawing dates on your ticket and keep it in a safe place. If someone else has the ticket, they can claim the winnings.
5. Watch the Draw
Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM Eastern Time. Participants can watch the live drawing on the Powerball website or through local news channels.
6. Claim Your Prize If You Win
The chances of winning a Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. In fact, you are more likely to win in other categories than the jackpot. To win the jackpot, you must match all five white balls and one red ball.
If you win, you must claim the winnings within 180 days. Smaller prizes below $600 can be claimed at retailers within the state where you bought the ticket, but you’ll need to contact the lottery commission directly for larger prizes. Here is what you can expect to win:
- Matching the Powerball number: $4
- Matching one number + the Powerball number: $4
- Matching two numbers + the Powerball number: $7
- Matching three numbers: $7
- Matching three numbers + the Powerball number: $100
- Matching four numbers: $100
- Matching four numbers + the Powerball numbers: $50,000
- Matching five numbers: $1 million
- Matching five numbers + the Powerball number: Grand prize
Conclusion
Over the years, Powerball has proved to be the biggest lottery in the U.S. by offering life-changing jackpots. While the odds of winning the jackpots are low, a significant population of US citizens still try their luck by choosing their numbers strategically to improve their chances.