How to play US lotteries?

The following sets out the rules of play for Powerball and the conditions under which entries may be submitted, including participation from outside the United States. These rules are provided for informational purposes by AmericanLottery365, an independent platform that does not sell tickets and is not a lottery operator.

1. Entry format

  1. 1.1  A valid entry consists of five (5) main numbers selected from 1 to 69 (the white balls).
  2. 1.2  Each entry additionally requires one (1) Powerball number selected from 1 to 26 (the red ball).
  3. 1.3  Numbers may be selected manually by the participant or generated automatically by Quick Pick.
  4. 1.4  Each line is treated as a single, separate entry.

2. Power Play option

  1. 2.1  Power Play is an optional feature added for an additional charge per line.
  2. 2.2  Where activated, Power Play multiplies non-jackpot prizes by a factor of 2×, 3×, 4×, or 5×, drawn at random.
  3. 2.3  A 10× multiplier applies only when the advertised jackpot is at or below the threshold set by the game operator.
  4. 2.4  Power Play does not apply to the jackpot prize.

3. Draw schedule and pricing

  1. 3.1  Draws are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM Eastern Time.
  2. 3.2  The base price is $2.00 per line. Power Play adds $1.00 per line.
  3. 3.3  Entry cut-off times precede each draw and vary by jurisdiction or service provider.

4. Odds of winning

  1. 4.1  The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338.
  2. 4.2  The odds of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 24.9.
  3. 4.3  The complete prize structure and per-tier odds are set out on the Powerball prizes and odds page.

5. Procedure for submitting an entry

  1. 5.1  Select five main numbers and one Powerball number, or use Quick Pick.
  2. 5.2  Indicate whether Power Play is to be added.
  3. 5.3  Confirm the numbers and the applicable draw date before payment.
  4. 5.4  Retain the ticket or digital confirmation; it is required to claim any prize.
  5. 5.5  Verify the outcome after the draw on the Powerball results page.

6. Participation from outside the United States

  1. 6.1  Official US lottery tickets are sold only through licensed retailers within the United States.
  2. 6.2  Participants outside the United States may not purchase tickets directly from the official lottery.
  3. 6.3  Participation is permitted through authorized courier or messenger services, which purchase an official ticket on the participant’s behalf and provide a digital copy.
  4. 6.4  Eligibility, minimum age, and availability are subject to the laws of the participant’s jurisdiction and the terms of the service used.

7. Prizes and claiming

  1. 7.1  Prizes are subject to applicable taxes and any fees imposed by the service provider.
  2. 7.2  Tax treatment for US and international winners is set out on the US lottery tax page.
  3. 7.3  Claim procedures and deadlines are determined by the operating jurisdiction and the service provider.

For the licensed services through which these entries may be submitted, and their availability by region, see where to play US lottery online →

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