With the recent changes to Powerball now in full force, we thought we’d take a look at how it has improved the game, as well as some ways it may have made it less interesting to play. But before we get into what’s new with Powerball, we need to talk about what is old, especially how the game works.

A Quick Guide to Powerball

Powerball tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and online. Drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Powerball drawings are also played at AllTheBestLottos.com. Ticket sales contribute to funding vital public programs and services such as education in each jurisdiction where the game is sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, Powerball has raised over $25 billion for good causes.

How Powerball Became the Biggest Lottery in the World

The Powerball of today is run in 45 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Isles. However, when the game was first launched in 1992 that number was way less. In fact, when the game was first floated as an idea back in 1988, the game only had 7 backers, the District of Columbia, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, Rhode Island and West Virginia. It was a bit of an odd mix and probably the first time Rhode Island and West Virginia ever agreed on anything. As time went on the game started to build traction, 2 more states signed on for game day launch in 1989 and by 1991 they had amassed 14 willing states and the aforementioned DC. It wasn’t until 1994 that other states started to catch on, and by 2010 the majority of states had signed up to offer the Powerball lottery in a historic collaboration with the Mega Millions lottery that was also taking the country by storm. Will Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah ever sign on to the hype? Head to our Article about the 5 States That Don’t Play Powerball to find out when these locations may sign up, and why they might be reluctant about joining Powerball.

The Latest Changes to Powerball

Powerball added a new Monday drawing to their lineup meaning that the game is now playable three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Powerball announced in late 2021 that a new Monday drawing will join the weekly lineup of Powerball drawings currently held on Wednesday and Saturday. A new add-on feature called Double Play will be added as a trial measure that lets players choose whether to pay more for a chance at a second jackpot prize of $10M. If successful it will be available online. 

Powerball’s owner company said in a press release that the additional Monday Powerball draw will result in “larger, faster-growing jackpots” and “an increase in the number of cash prizes and jackpots awarded on an annual basis”. However, they also confirmed that “a third drawing will not change the Powerball game odds or set cash prizes”. 

Players will continue to choose five numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26. All 48 U.S. licenced lottery providers will sell tickets for the Powerball drawing on Monday nights. 

In an official press release, May Scheve Reardon, Powerball Product Group Chair and Missouri Lottery Executive Director stated the following: “This is the first time in Powerball’s 29-year history that drawings will be offered three nights a week.”

Starting on 23rd August 2021 players had an additional chance at winning big following Powerball’s launch of a third weekly drawing on Monday nights. Powerball drawings are now held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Players were able to purchase tickets for the first Monday draw from Sunday 22nd August.

Powerball Odds

A table of odds for the Powerball lottery showing your chances of winning each prize in the nine different prize levels. The jackpot starts at $40,000,000 (altered to $20,000,000 in April 2020) after it has been won in the previous draw and increases, or rolls over, each time it isn’t won. There is no cap or upper limit on the jackpot, which lets it grow as big as possible! All other prizes are fixed amounts (apart from in California where they are pari-mutual).

The odds of winning any Powerball Lottery prize are 1 in 24.87.

Powerball Payouts

View the Powerball Payout Chart and prize table for the latest draw. You’ll see the Powerball payout for all tiers from the Jackpot down to the payout for just matching the Powerball itself. Find out if you’ve won the jackpot or if it’s rolled over to the next draw.

The 10 Biggest Jackpots

Powerball holds the record for giving away the largest prize ever seen on any lottery game anywhere in the world – the jackpot reached $1.58 billion in January 2016. Find out more about this record-breaking jackpot and the other biggest Powerball winners in history.