The Powerball jackpot is set to get even bigger. A reporter will explain.
USA TODAY’s Fernando Cervantes explains the historic agreement with Britain’s National Lottery.
Powerball has officially expanded to the UK, allowing UK Lottery players to buy tickets for the first time, giving them the potential for the game’s jackpot to grow even faster.
The expansion is made possible through an agreement between the Multi-State Lottery Association and Allwin UK, operator of the UK National Lottery, and will come into effect from the July 23 draw. This is the first time a non-U.S. lottery has contributed to the Powerball jackpot, which officials say will accelerate the jackpot’s growth as more tickets are sold.
But for American players, the game itself remains the same. Ticket prices remain $2, drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, and the odds of winning the jackpot are still 1 in 292.2 million. What will change is the size of the player base, which officials say should help jackpots build more quickly between draws.
“This next step brings us closer to a thrilling milestone for Powerball,” Rebecca Paul, president and CEO of the Tennessee Lottery and former president of the World Lottery Association, said in a statement. “More players means the jackpot grows faster, is more exciting and has an even bigger impact on the communities we serve.”
Why is the Powerball jackpot expected to grow faster?
Powerball tickets sold in the UK add the same amount to the shared jackpot as tickets sold in the US, but UK tickets are more expensive. Expect the jackpot to grow at a faster pace when there is no grand prize winner, as more tickets will be sold overall.
The addition of the UK brings the number of lotteries contributing to the Powerball jackpot to 49. Officials emphasized that more than half of tickets sold in the U.S. will continue to remain in the jurisdiction where they were purchased, supporting programs such as education, scholarships, veterans services, and parks and recreation.
What does this expansion mean for US players?
For US players, virtually nothing changes.
Players select five white balls ranging from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball ranging from 1 to 26. The overall odds of winning the prize remain 1 in 24.9, but the odds of winning the jackpot remain 1 in 292.2 million.
The estimated Powerball jackpot for the July 23 night drawing is $567 million, with the cash option worth an estimated $251.8 million before taxes.
How is playing Powerball different in the UK?
Although UK players compete for the same jackpot, there are some key differences.
Powerball tickets cost £4 (approximately $5.33) in the UK, compared to $2 in the US. UK tickets only contribute to the shared jackpot, with lower tier prizes paid out through a separate UK prize structure.
Unlike American jackpot winners, who can choose between a lump sum cash payment or a 30-year annuity, UK winners receive their prize through annual payments over 30 years, administered by the UK National Lottery.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or X @athompsonUSAT..
