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How to Play
POWERBALL is a multi state jackpot game with nine ways to win. Every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time, five numbers are drawn from a field of 59 and one "POWERBALL" number is drawn from a field of 39. Tickets for the next POWERBALL drawing can be purchased up to 9:59 p.m. the night of the drawing.
Players win by matching one of 9 Ways to Win . The jackpot (won by matching all five white balls in any order and the red POWERBALL) is either a graduated annuity prize paid out over 29 years (30 payments) or a lump sum payment. Each ticket costs $1. If the winner chooses the annuity, the annual payment will be increased each year by the percentage set out in the POWERBALL game rules.
The second prize (won by matching five white balls in any order) is $200,000 paid in cash. The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are approximately 1 in 35.11.
PowerPlay® is a special feature that allows a winner to multiply the original prize amount. POWERBALL players can multiply their POWERBALL prizes by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times (does not include the jackpot). The Match 5 prize with PowerPlay® option will always be multiplied 5X's for $1 million cash. Note that any set prizes or PowerPlay® prizes, including the Match 5+0 prize, may be reduced if wins exceed the available prize fund. The PowerPlay® multiplier number is selected at random before each draw. A player must choose the PowerPlay® option when they buy their POWERBALL ticket.
For more information, see the PowerBall Game Rules (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions at powerball.com
Odds and Prizes
The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 35.11.
The odds presented are based on a $1 play (rounded to two decimal places).
Odds and Prizes
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|
Match |
Prize |
Multiplier of 2
(Odds 1:4) |
Multiplier of 3
(Odds 1:4)
|
Multiplier of 4
(Odds 1:4) |
Multiplier of 5
(Odds 1:4)
|
  |
Jackpot |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| |
$200,000 |
$1,000,000
Cash** |
$1,000,000
Cash** |
$1,000,000
Cash** |
$1,000,000
Cash** |
| |
$10,000 |
$20,000 |
$30,000 |
$40,000 |
$50,000 |
| |
$100 |
$200 |
$300 |
$400 |
$500 |
| |
$100 |
$200 |
$300 |
$400 |
$500 |
| |
$7 |
$14 |
$21 |
$28 |
$35 |
| |
$7 |
$14 |
$21 |
$28 |
$35 |
| |
$4 |
$8 |
$12 |
$16 |
$20 |
| |
$3 |
$6 |
$9 |
$12 |
$15 |
|
|
 |
** All set prizes and Power Play® prizes, including Match 5+0 prize, may be reduced if claims exceed available prize fund.
There are nine ways to win in POWERBALL. When you win, sign the back of your ticket immediately. Then take it to any New Jersey Lottery Retailer for validation.
Match 5 Bonus Prize
Whenever the POWERBALL jackpot reaches a "new" record level, the amount of the jackpot prize is limited to increases for each draw of no more than $25 million. The jackpot prize money collected in excess of the maximum $25 million increase is then placed into a new Match 5 Bonus prize pool and will accumulate until there is a jackpot winner. When there is a jackpot winner, the Match 5 Bonus prize pool will be divided equally among all winners of the Match 5 prize. The prize will be paid in one cash lump sum.
The Match 5 Bonus prize is in addition to any Power Play® prizes that may be won. The Match 5 Bonus prize is not multiplied. For example, a Match 5 Power Play® winner will get the regular $1 million prize (since, the multiplier is always 5x). Then the Match 5 Bonus pool will be split evenly among all Match 5 winners. If the share of the Match 5 Bonus pool is $500,000, then each Match 5 winner gets an extra $500,000 (for a total of $700,000) and each Match 5 Power Play winner gets a total of $1,500,000.
Although it is unlikely, if no Match 5 winner exists, then the Match 5 Bonus prize pool will be paid out to the Match 4+1 winners.
Check to See If You've Won
Watch it! POWERBALL drawings are televised every Wednesday and Saturday evening at 10:59 PM on NJN, the New Jersey Network (TV channels 23, 50, 52, and 58, or check your local television or cable listings). You can also:
- Watch the Drawing Videocast
- POWERBALL Winning Numbers Search
- Join the New Jersey Lottery VIP Club for our FREE daily Winning Numbers email service.
- Call our NJ Lottery Results Line at 1-900-443-4444 for current and recent winning numbers results. The cost of the call is only 99¢ per minute. Current Lottery results are available after 8:30 PM. POWERBALL and Mega Millions results are available after 11:30 PM.
- Check your daily newspaper or see any New Jersey Lottery Retailer for winning results.
- Write us! Winning numbers and payout information are also available by writing to:
NJ Lottery
PO Box 041
Trenton, NJ 08625-0041
Attn.: Customer Service
How to Claim Your Prize
When you win, sign the back of your ticket immediately. Then take it to any New Jersey Lottery Retailer for validation. New Jersey Lottery winners can claim a prize worth $599.50 or less at any New Jersey Lottery Retailer and be paid cash at the time of the claim. A winner claiming a prize over $599.50 can do so at their New Jersey Lottery Retailer or at Lottery Headquarters. However, they must fill out a claim form, and the winnings will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service. It takes approximately three weeks to receive a check from the New Jersey Lottery. Top-prize POWERBALL winners must contact Lottery Headquarters in Lawrenceville and present their ticket in person. Proper identification for tax purposes must be presented at the time of the claim.
Guidelines For Participating in Office Pools.
Tax Requirements for Lottery Prizes
The Federal Energy Policy Act of 1992, section 1942, requires the New Jersey Lottery to withhold a minimum 25% of all prize payments to any Lottery winner who has won more than $5,000 on any Lottery wager. At the end of the year, the winner will receive a W2-G form to properly credit the withholding as a tax payment on their federal income tax form.
Winners who do not possess a social security number are subject to a 30% federal income tax deduction on any prize over $599.50.
Under the provisions of P.L. 2009, c.69, as of January 1, 2009, the New Jersey Lottery is required to withhold 3% State taxes from all Lottery winnings over $10,000. If you have additional questions, please consult with the Division of Taxation regarding how this will affect you ( www.state.nj.us/treasury ).
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