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Powerball

What is Powerball?

The world’s best known multi-state, multimillion-dollar jackpot game! Jackpots start at $20 million and continuing to grow until won. There are nine (9) exciting ways to win with Powerball and it’s easy to get in the game!

How to Play

There are two play options for Powerball; a $1 Powerball ticket or a $2 Powerball Power Play ticket. A $1 Powerball ticket gets you in the game for a chance to win in the next upcoming drawing. A $2 Power Play ticket also gives you a chance to win in the next drawing; however, the added Power Play feature allows you to multiply your winnings on all prize levels 2 to 5 times, with the exception of the jackpot and Match 5 prizes. In the case of the Match 5 prize, if you’ve selected Power Play, the multiplier is an automatic 5, growing that prize amount to $1,000,000. The jackpot prize is never multiplied.

For all other prize levels, except for the jackpot and the matching 5 white ball level, the Power Play multiplier is randomly selected during the Powerball drawing and ranges from 2 to 5. The number selected is the Power Play number used to multiply the bottom seven prize level winnings for that drawing.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say you purchase a Powerball ticket with Power Play for $2. If you match 4 of the 5 white balls to win the $100 prize and the Power Play multiplier for that drawing is 5, then you’ve just won $500 ($100 x 5 = $500).

Selecting Your Numbers

Once you have chosen Powerball or Power Play, picking your numbers is easy! You can complete a playslip to select your favorite numbers or ask the retailer for a “Quick Pick” ticket to have the computer select any or all of your numbers. You can play a total of five (5) sets of numbers on one playslip. (See the playslip diagram below.)

You can also choose to play in future drawings by using the same playslip for up to 26 consecutive drawings. To play consecutive drawings, you need to either select the “Multi Draw” box on the playslip or ask the retailer for multiple draws at the time of purchase. If you win on any of the drawings during a Multi-Draw play, you can cash in your winnings at a retailer location and AN EXCHANGE TICKET will be printed for the remaining drawings that are still active on the ticket. Be sure to check your numbers and verify your ticket cost prior to purchase. A Powerball ticket CANNOT be cancelled by the retailer after it is generated. The ticket, and not the playslip, is your proof of purchase.

How to Complete a Playslip

9 Ways to Win!

The jackpot prize is won by matching five white balls (1 through 59) in any order, plus one red Powerball number (1 through 39) for a total of six balls played. However, there are also eight (8) additional ways to win by matching fewer numbers to the numbers drawn. (See chart below.)

Prizes & Odds

Match	Prize	Odds 1 in:
The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 35.1 * The jackpot prize is established and will be divided equally among all winning tickets for that prize level. The jackpot can be paid out either as a lump sum payment or an annuity payout over 29 years (or 30 payments). ** All set prizes and Power Play prizes, including the Match 5+0 prize, may be reduced if claims exceed available prize fund. In such circumstances, these prizes may become pari-mutuel as defined in the game rules. Pari-mutuel means that prize amounts are shared equally among all winners of the available prize pool for that prize level.
+	Jackpot*	195,249,054
	$200,000**	5,138,133
+	$10,000**	723,145
	$100**	19,030
+	$100**	13,645
	$7**	360
+	$7**	788
+	$4**	124
	$3**	62

Power Play Prizes & Odds

Powerball 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)
* All set prizes and Power Play prizes, including the Match 5+0 prize, may be reduced if claims exceed available prize fund. In such circumstances, these prizes may become pari-mutuel as defined in the game rules. Pari-mutuel means that prize amounts are shared equally among all winners of the available prize pool for that prize level.
$200,000*	-	-	-	$1,000,000*
$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*

What is the Match 5 Bonus Prize?

Whenever the Powerball jackpot reaches a record level, the amount of the jackpot prize is limited to increases for each draw of no more than $25 million. The prize money collected in excess of the maximum $25 million increase will be placed into the 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 as a lump sum payment.

The Match 5 Bonus prize is in addition to any Power Play prizes that may be won and is not multiplied. Although it is unlikely, it is possible that no Match 5 winner will exist for a drawing where the jackpot is won and in which a Match 5 Bonus Prize pool exists. In this case, the Match 5 Bonus prize pool will be paid out to the Match 4+1 winners.

How do I find out the winning numbers?

Watch the drawings every Wednesday and Saturday night at approximately 10:59pm on your area’s official lottery drawing station to determine drawing results.

                

You can also obtain winning number information or a copy of the game rules by visiting our website at nc-educationlottery.org or by calling the NCEL Player Hotline at 877-962-7529 ( TTY Number: 888-663-0154).

How to Claim your winnings?

If You Win The Powerball Jackpot, How Do You Claim?

If you are a winner of an NCEL Powerball jackpot prize, congratulations! You must sign the back of your original ticket immediately to preserve your ownership.

Prior to coming to the NCEL's Corporate Office in Raleigh, please call Player Services at (877) 962-7529 (9NC-PLAY). Player Services can verify the actual winning numbers drawn for a particular drawing date and provide you with instructions on how to claim.