Pennsylvania Code
Title 61 - REVENUE
Part V - State Lotteries
Chapter 871 - POWERBALL
Section 871.22 - Changes to Powerball
Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 38, September 21, 2024
Any change to the Powerball regulations, announced by the Secretary by way of a notice published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, will be codified as a new paragraph in this section.
(1) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after October 6, 2002:
Tickets Containing The Following, In One Single Lettered Game Section |
Prize Category |
Probability of Winning per Play |
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Grand Prize |
1:120,526,770 |
Five first set numbers |
Second Prize |
1:2,939,677.317073 |
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Third Prize |
1:502,194.875000 |
Four first set numbers |
Fourth Prize |
1:12,248.655488 |
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Fifth Prize |
1:10,684.997340 |
Three first set numbers |
Sixth Prize |
1:260.609691 |
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Seventh Prize |
1:696.847653 |
One first set number and the Powerball number |
Eighth Prize |
1:123.884027 |
The Powerball number |
Ninth Prize |
1:70.388652 |
Prize Level |
Powerball Set Prize Amount |
Power Play Multiplier and Set Prize Amount |
|||
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
||
Second Prize |
$100,000 |
$500,000 |
$400,000 |
$300,000 |
$200,000 |
Third Prize |
$5,000 |
$25,000 |
$20,000 |
$15,000 |
$10,000 |
Fourth Prize |
$100 |
$500 |
$400 |
$300 |
$200 |
Fifth Prize |
$100 |
$500 |
$400 |
$300 |
$200 |
Sixth Prize |
$7 |
$35 |
$28 |
$21 |
$14 |
Seventh Prize |
$7 |
$35 |
$28 |
$21 |
$14 |
Eighth Prize |
$4 |
$20 |
$16 |
$12 |
$8 |
Ninth Prize |
$3 |
$15 |
$12 |
$9 |
$6 |
The odds of various power play numbers being selected in a power play drawing are:
Power Play Multiplier |
Odds |
2 |
1:5 |
3 |
1:5 |
4 |
1:5 |
5 |
1:2.5 |
(2) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after August 28, 2005:
For example:
If the MUSL Powerball Product Group arrived at a 4% rate of increase for a $30 million annuitized jackpot the payment schedule would be as follows:
Payment No. |
Graduated Payments (Rounded) |
% of Total Annuity Prize |
1 |
$535,000 |
1.78300991336613% |
2 |
$556,000 |
1.85433030990078% |
3 |
$578,000 |
1.92850352229681% |
4 |
$601,000 |
2.00564366318868% |
5 |
$626,000 |
2.08586940971623% |
6 |
$651,000 |
2.16930418610488% |
7 |
$677,000 |
2.25607635354907% |
8 |
$704,000 |
2.34631940769104% |
9 |
$732,000 |
2.44017218399868% |
10 |
$761,000 |
2.53777907135862% |
11 |
$792,000 |
2.63929023421297% |
12 |
$823,000 |
2.74486184358149% |
13 |
$856,000 |
2.85465631732475% |
14 |
$891,000 |
2.96884257001774% |
15 |
$926,000 |
3.08759627281845% |
16 |
$963,000 |
3.21110012373119% |
17 |
$1,002,000 |
3.33954412868043% |
18 |
$1,042,000 |
3.47312589382765% |
19 |
$1,084,000 |
3.61205092958076% |
20 |
$1,127,000 |
3.75653296676399% |
21 |
$1,172,000 |
3.90679428543455% |
22 |
$1,219,000 |
4.06306605685193% |
23 |
$1,268,000 |
4.22558869912601% |
24 |
$1,319,000 |
4.39461224709105% |
25 |
$1,371,000 |
4.57039673697469% |
26 |
$1,426,000 |
4.75321260645368% |
27 |
$1,483,000 |
4.94334111071182% |
28 |
$1,543,000 |
5.14107475514030% |
29 |
$1,604,000 |
5.34671774534591% |
30 |
$1,668,000 |
5.56058645515974% |
Payment Total |
$30,000,000 |
Tickets Containing The Following, In One Single Lettered Game Section |
Prize Category |
Prize Payment |
Approximate Percentage of Winnings Pool Allocated to Prize Category** |
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Grand Prize |
Grand Prize |
60.5770% |
Five first set numbers |
Second Prize* |
$200,000 |
11.2246% |
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Third Prize* |
$10,000 |
3.4222% |
Four first set numbers |
Fourth Prize* |
$100 |
1.4030% |
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Fifth Prize* |
$100 |
1.6768% |
Three first set numbers |
Sixth Prize* |
$7 |
4.8126% |
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Seventh Prize* |
$7 |
1.8780% |
One first set number and the Powerball number |
Eighth Prize* |
$4 |
6.3050% |
The Powerball number |
Ninth Prize* |
$3 |
8.7008% |
* Indicates a set prize. |
|||
** Fifty percent of Powerball gross sales are allocated to the winnings pool for the payment of prizes. |
Tickets Containing The Following In One Single Lettered Game Section |
Prize Category |
Probability of Winnings per Play |
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Grand Prize |
1:146,107,962 |
Five first set numbers |
Second Prize |
1:3,563,608.8293 |
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Third Prize |
1:584,431.8480 |
Four first set numbers |
Fourth Prize |
1:14,254.4353 |
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Fifth Prize |
1:11,927.1806 |
Three first set numbers |
Sixth Prize |
1:290.9068 |
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Seventh Prize |
1:745.4488 |
One first set number and the Powerball number |
Eighth Prize |
1:126.8849 |
The Powerball number |
Ninth Prize |
1:68.9592 |
Prize Level |
Powerball Set Prize Amount | Power Play Multiplier and Set Prize Amount | |||
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
||
Second Prize |
$200,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$800,000 |
$600,000 |
$400,000 |
Third Prize |
$10,000 |
$50,000 |
$40,000 |
$30,000 |
$20,000 |
Fourth Prize |
$100 |
$500 |
$400 |
$300 |
$200 |
Fifth Prize |
$100 |
$500 |
$400 |
$300 |
$200 |
Sixth Prize |
$7 |
$35 |
$28 |
$21 |
$14 |
Seventh Prize |
$7 |
$35 |
$28 |
$21 |
$14 |
Eighth Prize |
$4 |
$20 |
$16 |
$12 |
$8 |
Ninth Prize |
$3 |
$15 |
$12 |
$9 |
$6 |
The odds of various power play numbers being selected in a power play drawing are:
Power Play Multiplier |
Odds |
2 |
1:4 |
3 |
1:4 |
4 |
1:4 |
5 |
1:4 |
(3) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after January 4, 2009:
Basic play-Each set of six numbers consisting of five numbers from 1 through 59 and the Powerball number on a ticket purchased without the selection of any promotion, representing a single entry for a Powerball drawing and designated by a letter from A to E on a Powerball ticket.
First set numbers-The first group of numbers, from 1 through 59, appearing in the top grid of a Powerball game panel.
Grand prize winnings pool-An amount constituting 32.5288% of gross sales from all participating States for a particular Powerball game drawing for the purpose of paying winning grand prizes in that drawing. The grand prize winnings pool includes prize money allocated to the grand prize category from prior Powerball game drawings in which there were no winning grand prize tickets. A portion of this pool is used to fund prize reserve accounts until those accounts achieve maximum balances.
Panel or game panel-One of five areas of the Powerball bet slip that contains two number grids. The upper grids (first set numbers) contain 59 squares, each numbered 1 through 59 and the lower grids (second set numbers) contain 39 squares, each numbered 1 through 39. Each panel is lettered either A, B, C, D or E, and when used to purchase a ticket, corresponds to the numbers selected and printed on the ticket adjacent to that letter.
Powerball number or second set number-The number selected from the second group of numbers, from 1 through 39, appearing in the lower grid of a Powerball game panel.
Quick pick-The random selection by the Lottery's computer system of five numbers from 1 through 59 and a Powerball number from 1 through 39 that appear on a ticket in the Powerball game.
Second set numbers-The second group of numbers, from 1 through 39, appearing in the lower grid of a Powerball game panel.
Set prize winnings pool-An amount constituting 17.4712% of gross sales for the current drawing and any moneys carried forward from previous draws.
Ticket-A Powerball ticket, produced by an on-line terminal from a licensed on-line retailer in an authorized manner, containing a letter prefix followed by five selected numbers from 1 through 59 and a single selected Powerball number from 1 through 39 for each basic play, ticket validation number data, drawing date, amount bet and any applicable promotion exercised by the player. Each set of five numbers and the Powerball number constitutes a basic play of which there may be one or more, up to five on a ticket.
Winning numbers-Six numbers, the first five numbers from 1 through 59, and the Powerball number from 1 through 39, selected at a Powerball drawing and subsequently validated by the MUSL, which shall be used to determine the winning Powerball plays.
Editor's note: This is a partial listing of the definitions applicable to Powerball. See § 871.3 (relating to definitions) for additional definitions.
Tickets Containing The Following in One Single Lettered Game Section |
Prize Category |
Prize Payment |
Approximate Percentage of Winnings Pool Allocated to Prize Category** |
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Grand Prize |
Grand Prize |
65.0576% |
Five first set numbers |
Second Prize* |
$200,000 |
7.7850% |
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Third Prize* |
$10,000 |
2.7656% |
Four first set numbers |
Fourth Prize* |
$100 |
1.0510% |
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Fifth Prize* |
$100 |
1.4658% |
Three first set numbers |
Sixth Prize* |
$7 |
3.8990% |
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Seventh Prize* |
$7 |
1.7786% |
One first set number and the Powerball number |
Eighth Prize* |
$4 |
6.4790% |
The Powerball number |
Ninth Prize* |
$3 |
9.7184% |
* Indicates a set prize.
** Fifty percent of Powerball gross sales are allocated to the winnings pool for the payment of prizes.
Tickets Containing The Following in One Single Lettered Game Section |
Prize Category |
Probability of Winning per Play |
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Grand Prize |
1:195,249,054 |
Five first set numbers |
Second Prize |
1:5,138,133 |
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Third Prize |
1:723,144.6444 |
Four first set numbers |
Fourth Prize |
1:19,030.1222 |
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Fifth Prize |
1:13,644.2386 |
Three first set numbers |
Sixth Prize |
1:359.0589 |
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Seventh Prize |
1:787.1676 |
One first set number and the Powerball number |
Eighth Prize |
1:123.4773 |
The Powerball number |
Ninth Prize |
1:61.7386 |
Prize Level |
Powerball Set Prize Amount | Power Play Multiplier and Set Prize Amount | |||
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
||
Second Prize |
$200,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
Third Prize |
$10,000 |
$50,000 |
$40,000 |
$30,000 |
$20,000 |
Fourth Prize |
$100 |
$500 |
$400 |
$300 |
$200 |
Fifth Prize |
$100 |
$500 |
$400 |
$300 |
$200 |
Sixth Prize |
$7 |
$35 |
$28 |
$21 |
$14 |
Seventh Prize |
$7 |
$35 |
$28 |
$21 |
$14 |
Eighth Prize |
$4 |
$20 |
$16 |
$12 |
$8 |
Ninth Prize |
$3 |
$15 |
$12 |
$9 |
$6 |
(4) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after May 28, 2011:
Prize Level |
Powerball Set Prize Amount |
Regardless of Power Play Number Selected: |
|||
Second Prize |
$200,000 |
$1,000,000 |
|||
5X |
4X |
3X |
2X |
||
Third Prize |
$10,000 |
$50,000 |
$40,000 |
$30,000 |
$20,000 |
Fourth Prize |
$100 |
$500 |
$400 |
$300 |
$200 |
Fifth Prize |
$100 |
$500 |
$400 |
$300 |
$200 |
Sixth Prize |
$7 |
$35 |
$28 |
$21 |
$14 |
Seventh Prize |
$7 |
$35 |
$28 |
$21 |
$14 |
Eighth Prize |
$4 |
$20 |
$16 |
$12 |
$8 |
Ninth Prize |
$3 |
$15 |
$12 |
$9 |
$6 |
(5) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after January 15, 2012:
Grand prize winnings pool-An amount constituting 31.9756% of gross sales from all participating states for a particular Powerball game drawing for the purpose of paying winning grand prizes in that drawing. The grand prize winnings pool includes prize money allocated to the grand prize category from prior Powerball game drawings in which there were no winning grand prize tickets. A portion of this pool is used to fund prize reserve accounts until those accounts achieve maximum balances.
Panel or game panel-One of five areas of the Powerball bet slip that contains two number grids. The upper grids (first set numbers) contain 59 squares, each numbered 1 through 59 and the lower grids (second set numbers) contain 35 squares, each numbered 1 through 35. Each panel is lettered either A, B, C, D or E.
Powerball number or second set number-The number selected from the second group of numbers, from 1 through 35, appearing in the lower grid of a Powerball game panel.
Quick pick-The random selection by the Lottery's computer system of five numbers from 1 through 59 and a Powerball number from 1 through 35 that appear on a ticket in the Powerball game.
Second set numbers-The second group of numbers, from 1 through 35, appearing in the lower grid of a Powerball game panel.
Set prize winnings pool-An amount constituting 18.0244% of gross sales for the current drawing and any monies carried forward from previous draws.
Ticket-A Powerball ticket, produced by an on-line terminal from a licensed on-line retailer in an authorized manner, containing a letter prefix followed by five selected numbers from 1 through 59 and a single selected Powerball number from 1 through 35 for each basic play, ticket validation number data, drawing date, amount bet and any applicable promotion exercised by the player. Each set of five numbers and the Powerball number constitutes a basic play of which there may be one or more, up to five on a ticket.
Winning numbers-Six numbers, the first five numbers from 1 through 59, and the Powerball number from 1 through 35, selected at a Powerball drawing and subsequently validated by the MUSL, which shall be used to determine the winning Powerball plays.
(Editor's Note: This is a partial listing of the definitions applicable to Powerball. See § 871.3 (relating to definitions) for additional definitions.)
Tickets Containing The Following in One Single Lettered Game Section |
Prize Category |
Prize Payment |
Approximate Percentage of Winnings Pool Allocated to Prize Category** |
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Grand Prize |
Grand Prize |
63.9511% |
Five first set numbers |
Second Prize* |
$1,000,000 |
19.4038% |
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Third Prize* |
$10,000 |
1.5409% |
Four first set numbers |
Fourth Prize* |
$100 |
.5239% |
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Fifth Prize* |
$100 |
.8167% |
Three first set numbers |
Sixth Prize* |
$7 |
1.9437% |
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Seventh Prize* |
$7 |
.9909% |
One first set number and the Powerball number |
Eighth Prize* |
$4 |
3.6097% |
The Powerball number |
Ninth Prize* |
$4 |
7.2194% |
* Indicates a set prize.
** Fifty percent of Powerball gross sales are allocated to the winnings pool for the payment of prizes.
Tickets Containing The Following in One Single Lettered Game Section |
Prize Category |
Probability of Winning per Play |
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Grand Prize |
1:175,223,510 |
Five first set numbers |
Second Prize |
1:5,153,632.6471 |
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Third Prize |
1:648,975.9630 |
Four first set numbers |
Fourth Prize |
1:19,087.5283 |
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Fifth Prize |
1:12,244.8295 |
Three first set numbers |
Sixth Prize |
1:360.1420 |
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Seventh Prize |
1:706.4325 |
One first set number and the Powerball number |
Eighth Prize |
1:110.8129 |
The Powerball number |
Ninth Prize |
1:55.4065 |
Prize Level |
Power Play Set Prize Amount |
Second Prize |
$2,000,000 |
Third Prize |
$40,000 |
Fourth Prize |
$200 |
Fifth Prize |
$200 |
Sixth Prize |
$14 |
Seventh Prize |
$14 |
Eighth Prize |
$12 |
Ninth Prize |
$12 |
(6) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after October 1, 2013:
Licensee Lottery-A State lottery or lottery of a political subdivision or entity which is not a Party Lottery but has agreed to comply with all applicable MUSL and MUSL Powerball Product Group requirements and has been authorized by the MUSL and by the MUSL Powerball Product Group to sell the Powerball game.
MUSL Finance and Audit Committee-The committee established by the Multi-State Lottery Association which, among other things, establishes the reserve accounts balances.
Editor's note: This is a partial listing of the definitions applicable to Powerball. See § 871.3 (relating to definitions) for additional definitions.
(7) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after January 19, 2014:
Prize Level |
Powerball Set Prize Amount |
Regardless of Power Play Number Selected |
|||
Second Prize |
$1,000,000 |
$2,000,000 |
|||
5X |
4X |
3X |
2X |
||
Third Prize |
$10,000 |
$50,000 |
$40,000 |
$30,000 |
$20,000 |
Fourth Prize |
$100 |
$500 |
$400 |
$300 |
$200 |
Fifth Prize |
$100 |
$500 |
$400 |
$300 |
$200 |
Sixth Prize |
$7 |
$35 |
$28 |
$21 |
$14 |
Seventh Prize |
$7 |
$35 |
$28 |
$21 |
$14 |
Eighth Prize |
$4 |
$20 |
$16 |
$12 |
$8 |
Ninth Prize |
$4 |
$20 |
$16 |
$12 |
$8 |
Power Play Multiplier |
Odds |
2 |
1:2 |
3 |
1:3.33 |
4 |
1:10 |
5 |
1:10 |
(8) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after October 4, 2015:
Advertised Grand Prize-The estimated annuitized Grand Prize amount as determined by the MUSL Central Office by use of the MUSL Annuity Factor and communicated through the Selling Lotteries prior to the Grand Prize drawing. The Advertised Grand Prize is not a guaranteed prize amount and the actual Grand Prize may vary from the advertised amount, except in circumstances where there is a guaranteed Grand Prize amount as described in § 871.10 (relating to funding of guaranteed prizes).
Basic Play-Each set of six numbers consisting of five numbers from 1 through 69 and the Powerball number on a ticket purchased without the selection of any promotion, representing a single entry for a Powerball drawing and designated by a letter from A to E on a Powerball ticket.
First set numbers-The first group of numbers from 1 through 69, appearing in the top grid of a Powerball game panel.
MUSL Annuity Factor-The annuity factor as determined by the MUSL central office through a method approved by the MUSL Finance and Audit Committee and which is used as described in these rules.
Panel or game panel-One of five areas on the Powerball bet slip that contains two number grids. The upper grids (first set numbers) contain 69 squares, each numbered 1 through 69, and the lower grids (second set numbers) contain 26 squares, each numbered 1 through 26. Each panel is lettered either A, B, C, D or E.
Powerball number or second set number-The number selected from the second group of numbers, from 1 through 26, appearing in the lower grid of a Powerball game panel.
Quick Pick-The random selection by the Lottery's computer system of five numbers from 1 through 69 and a Powerball number from 1 through 26 that appear on a ticket in the Powerball game.
Second set numbers-The second group of numbers, from 1 through 26, appearing in the lower grid of a Powerball game panel.
Ticket-A Powerball ticket, produced by an on-line terminal from a licensed on-line retailer in an authorized manner, containing a letter prefix followed by five selected numbers from 1 through 69 and a single selected Powerball number from 1 through 26 for each basic play, ticket validation number data, drawing date, amount bet and any applicable promotion exercised by the player. Each set of five numbers and the Powerball number constitutes a basic play of which there may be one or more, up to ten on a ticket.
Winning numbers-Six numbers, the first five numbers from 1 through 69, and the Powerball number from 1 through 26, selected at a Powerball drawing and subsequently validated by the MUSL, which shall be used to determine the winning Powerball plays.
(Editor's Note: This is a partial listing of the definitions applicable to Powerball. See § 871.3 (relating to definitions) for additional definitions.)
Tickets Containing The Following in One Single Lettered Game Section |
Prize Category |
Prize Payment |
Approximate Percentage of Winnings Pool Allocated to Prize Category** |
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Grand Prize |
Grand Prize |
68.0131% |
Five first set numbers |
Second Prize* |
$1,000,000 |
8.5558% |
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Third Prize* |
$50,000 |
5.4757% |
Four first set numbers |
Fourth Prize* |
$100 |
.2738% |
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Fifth Prize* |
$100 |
.6899% |
Three first set numbers |
Sixth Prize* |
$7 |
1.2074% |
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Seventh Prize* |
$7 |
.9981% |
One first set number and the Powerball number |
Eighth Prize* |
$4 |
4.3489% |
None of the first set and the Powerball number |
Ninth Prize* |
$4 |
10.4373% |
* Indicates a set prize.
** Fifty percent of Powerball gross sales are allocated to the winnings pool for the payment of prizes.
Tickets Containing The Following, In One Single Lettered Game Section |
Prize Category |
Probability of Winning per Play |
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Grand Prize |
1:292,201,338 |
Five first set numbers |
Second Prize |
1:11,688,053.52 |
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Third Prize |
1:913,129.1813 |
Four first set numbers |
Fourth Prize |
1:36,525.1673 |
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Fifth Prize |
1:14,494.1140 |
Three first set numbers |
Sixth Prize |
1:579.7646 |
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Seventh Prize |
1:701.3281 |
One first set number and the Powerball number |
Eighth Prize |
1:91.9775 |
None of the first set and the Powerball number |
Ninth Prize |
1:38.3239 |
Prize Level |
Powerball Set Prize Amount |
Regardless of Power Play Number Selected |
||||
Second Prize |
$1,000,000 |
$2,000,000 | ||||
10X |
5X |
4X |
3X |
2X |
||
Third Prize |
$50,000 |
$500,000 |
$250,000 |
$200,000 |
$150,000 |
$100,000 |
Fourth Prize |
$100 |
$1,000 |
$500 |
$400 |
$300 |
$200 |
Fifth Prize |
$100 |
$1,000 |
$500 |
$400 |
$300 |
$200 |
Sixth Prize |
$7 |
$70 |
$35 |
$28 |
$21 |
$14 |
Seventh Prize |
$7 |
$70 |
$35 |
$28 |
$21 |
$14 |
Eighth Prize |
$4 |
$40 |
$20 |
$16 |
$12 |
$8 |
Ninth Prize |
$4 |
$40 |
$20 |
$16 |
$12 |
$8 |
Power Play Multiplier |
Probability of Prize Increase |
2 |
1:1.791666 |
3 |
1:3.30769 |
4 |
1:14.33333 |
5 |
1:21.5 |
10 |
1:43 |
Power Play Multiplier |
Probability of Prize Increase |
2 |
1:1.75 |
3 |
1:3.23076 |
4 |
1:14 |
5 |
1:21 |
10 |
1:0 |
(9) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after April 9, 2020:
(10) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after August 22, 2021:
Advertised Grand Prize-The estimated annuitized Grand Prize amount as determined by the MUSL Central Office by use of the MUSL Annuity Factor and communicated through the Selling Lotteries prior to the Powerball Grand Prize Drawing. The Advertised Grand Prize is not a guaranteed prize amount and the actual Powerball Grand Prize may vary from the advertised amount, except in circumstances where there is a guaranteed Powerball Grand Prize amount as described in § 871.10 (related to funding of guaranteed prizes).
Agent-A person or entity authorized by a Selling Lottery to sell lottery Plays.
Cash election-A method of payment that the player selects, within 60 days of the date the Lottery determines the player is entitled to the Powerball grand prize, to receive a parimutuel share of the prize money allocated to the grand prize category as a one-time, lump-sum cash payment rather than as an annuity.
Drawing-The formal draw event for randomly selecting the winning numbers that determine the number of winners for each prize level of the Powerball game or a Powerball promotion as described in these rules. A Powerball Drawing shall determine the winning numbers for the Powerball game, the Double Play Drawing, and the Power Play multiplier. Winning numbers for the Powerball game include the Winning numbers drawn for the Powerball game, and the number drawn to determine the Power Play multiplier.
Grand prize winnings pool-An amount constituting 34.0066% of gross sales from all participating states for a particular Powerball game drawing for the purpose of paying winning grand prizes in that drawing. The grand prize winnings pool includes prize money allocated to the grand prize category from prior Powerball game drawings in which there were no winning grand prize tickets. A portion of this pool is used to fund prize reserve accounts until those accounts achieve maximum balances.
Parimutuel-Wagered funds that are pooled and then paid in equal shares to winners of a prize as described in these rules.
Quick pick-The random selection by the Lottery's computer system of five numbers from 1 through 69 and a Powerball number from 1 through 26 that appear on a ticket and are played by a player in the game.
Ticket-A Powerball ticket, produced by an on-line terminal from a licensed on-line retailer in an authorized manner, containing a letter prefix followed by five selected numbers from 1 through 69 and a single selected Powerball number from 1 through 26 for each basic play, ticket validation number data, drawing date, amount bet and any applicable promotion exercised by the player. Each set of five numbers and the Powerball number constitutes a basic play of which there may be one or more, up to ten on a ticket.
Winning numbers-Six numbers, the first five numbers from 1 through 69, and the Powerball number from 1 through 26, selected at a Powerball drawing and subsequently validated by the MUSL, which shall be used to determine the winning Powerball plays contained on a ticket or properly registered ticketless transaction. Double Play winning numbers shall not be used to determine Powerball prizes. Powerball winning numbers shall not be used to determine Double Play prizes.
(Editor's Note: This is a partial listing of the definitions applicable to Powerball. See § 871.3 (relating to definitions) for additional definitions.)
Tickets Containing The Following, In One Single Lettered Game Section |
Prize Category |
Prize Payment |
Approximate Percentage of Winnings Pool Allocated to Prize Category** |
All five (5) first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Grand Prize |
Grand Prize |
68.0131% |
Five (5) first set numbers |
Second Prize* |
$1,000,000 |
8.5558% |
Four (4) first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Third Prize* |
$50,000 |
5.4757% |
Four (4) first set numbers |
Fourth Prize* |
$100 |
0.2738% |
Three (3) first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Fifth Prize* |
$100 |
0.6899% |
Three (3) first set numbers |
Sixth Prize* |
$7 |
1.2074% |
Two (2) first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Seventh Prize* |
$7 |
0.9981% |
One (1) first set number and the Powerball number |
Eighth Prize* |
$4 |
4.3489% |
None of the first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Ninth Prize* |
$4 |
10.4373% |
* Indicates a set prize.
** Fifty percent of Powerball gross sales are allocated to the winnings pool for the payment of prizes.
The probability of winning is as follows:
Probability of Tickets Containing The Following, In One Single Lettered Game Section |
Prize Category |
Winning per Play |
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Grand Prize |
1:292,201,338 |
Five first set numbers |
Second Prize |
1:11,688,053.52 |
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Third Prize |
1:913,129.1813 |
Four first set numbers |
Fourth Prize |
1:36,525.1673 |
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Fifth Prize |
1:14,494.1140 |
Three first set numbers |
Sixth Prize |
1:579.7646 |
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number |
Seventh Prize |
1:701.3281 |
One first set number and the Powerball number |
Eighth Prize |
1:91.9775 |
None of the first set and the Powerball number |
Ninth Prize |
1:38.3239 |
Power Play Multiplier |
Odds |
2 |
24 in 43 |
3 |
13 in 43 |
4 |
3 in 43 |
5 |
2 in 43 |
10 |
1 in 43 |
Power Play Multiplier |
Odds |
2 |
24 in 42 |
3 |
13 in 42 |
4 |
3 in 42 |
5 |
2 in 42 |
Number of Matches Per PB Play |
Prize Payment |
Prize Category |
Probability of Winning per Play |
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number |
$10,000,000 |
Grand Prize |
1:292,201,338 |
Five first set numbers |
$500,000 |
Second Prize |
1:11,688,053.52 |
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number |
$50,000 |
Third Prize |
1:913,129.1813 |
Four first set numbers |
$500 |
Fourth Prize |
1:36,525.1673 |
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number |
$500 |
Fifth Prize |
1:14,494.1140 |
Three first set numbers |
$20 |
Sixth Prize |
1:579.7646 |
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number |
$20 |
Seventh Prize |
1:701.3281 |
One first set number and the Powerball number |
$10 |
Eighth Prize |
1:91.9775 |
None of the first set and the Powerball number |
$7 |
Ninth Prize |
1:38.3239 |
This section cited in 61 Pa. Code § 871.21 (relating to future changes to Powerball).