Australia - Powerball

Powerball

Powerball Lotto is the biggest and most popular lottery game in Australia, with tickets available from AUD 1.20 per entry, although players must buy a minimum of 2 or 4 entries, depending on location.

The Powerball Lotto draw takes place every Thursday at 20:30 Australian Eastern Standard Time.

To enter Powerball Lotto, players choose seven main numbers between 1 and 35, followed by a Powerball number between 1 and 20.

In addition to choosing these numbers, players can also use the Quick Pick option to play with randomly chosen numbers, with up to 50 entries at a time available for those playing online.

Players can also use System Entry, choosing up to 20 main numbers that are entered as multiple combinations, although only one Powerball number is chosen.

There is also a PowerHit option, which guarantees the Powerball number, although a single entry costs AUD 24.30.

Jackpot

The minimum guaranteed Powerball Lotto jackpot is AUD 3 million.

The Powerball Lotto jackpot frequently rolls over due to the long odds of winning, and while there is no jackpot cap, there is a 25-rollover cap. If the Powerball Lotto jackpot is not won after 25 rollovers, the entire jackpot rolls down to the next prize tier and must be won.

Also, when the Powerball Lotto jackpot reaches AUD 10 million, it is increased by a further AUD 10 million for each subsequent rollover, meaning the jackpot could rise to more than AUD 200 million if not won for weeks on end.

Odds and Prizes

The odds of winning the Powerball Lotto jackpot are 1 in 134,490,400.

These are better odds than lottery games such as United States Powerball, although lotteries with similar or slightly better odds such as EuroMillions and EuroJackpot offer higher jackpots than Powerball Lotto.

In addition to winning the jackpot, Powerball Lotto players can win prizes at eight secondary prize tiers.

Payout and Taxes

Powerball Lotto winnings are paid out as a single lump sum.

Lottery winnings are not subject to taxation in Australia. If playing Powerball Lotto online from outside Australia, check whether winnings are subject to taxation.

Who Can Play Powerball Lotto?

You must be at least 18 years of age to legally buy a Powerball Lotto ticket.

Tickets can be purchased in Australia from authorized lottery kiosks, while players from anywhere around the world can buy Powerball Lotto tickets online.

History of Powerball Lotto

Powerball Lotto was launched in Australia in 1996. Originally, the odds of winning the Powerball Lotto jackpot were 1 in 54,979,155, before increasing to 1 in 76,767,000 and, finally, to the current odds. These changes were due to a number of updates made to the game.

Before March 2013, only five numbers were drawn plus the Powerball, which then changed to six numbers, before changing to seven in April 2018. An additional prize tier was introduced in April 2018. Overall, the chances of winning a secondary prize have increased, although the odds of winning the jackpot are now significantly higher.