MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
POWERBALL
®
GROUP RULES
Adopted June 6, 1996
Last Amended June 16, 2022
Comments Last Updated February 4, 2021
These Rules are effective June 16, 2022
PART I ADMINISTRATION
PB RULE 1DISPUTES, VOTING, ELECTIONS.
1.1 First Review. The Product Group shall have the first opportunity to informally resolve
any disputes arising among Party Lotteries and Licensee Lotteries regarding the Product Group,
rules, policies, or guidelines. The Selling Lottery seeking resolution of a dispute shall seek a
remedy from the Product Group by filing a notice of dispute with the Product Group. Filing shall
be done by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the Executive Director. If the
Product Group fails to resolve the dispute to the satisfaction of any party to the dispute within sixty
(60) days after receiving notice of the dispute, the aggrieved Selling Lottery may seek any other
remedy authorized by the Multi-State Lottery Agreement.
Amended December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012.
1.2 Voting. Unless a different requirement is stated in these Rules, the Product Group shall
take actions by a majority of the members casting votes.
Amended September 9, 1998; December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; May 9, 2019.
1.3 Amendment of Rules. These Product Group Rules may be amended upon a vote of
two-thirds (2/3) or more of the members casting votes. For rule amendments under Product Group
Rule 27.8, Emergency Rule-making Authority, the rules may be amended upon a vote of three-
fourths (3/4) of the members casting votes.
Amended November 15, 2012; May 9, 2019; June 22, 2020; January 7, 2021.
1.4 Quorum. The quorum necessary to hold an official meeting of the Product Group shall
be representation in person or by proxy from more than fifty percent (50%) of all members. If
neither the Chair nor Vice-Chair can attend a scheduled meeting in person, then the meeting shall
be rescheduled.
Amended November 15, 2012.
1.5 Elections. A Product Group Chair and Product Group Vice-Chair shall be elected for
one-year terms to begin with the fiscal year starting July 1, 2005. The Chair shall appoint a
Nominating Committee to recommend candidates to the Product Group. Nominations may also
be made by motion and properly seconded.
Amended April 24, 1997. Amended May 13, 1998; September 14, 2005.
PB RULE 2 RESERVED.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
PB RULE 3BUDGET.
3.1 Duties of Executive Director. Annually or on a more frequent basis, the Executive
Director shall prepare and submit to the Product Group Chair a proposed budget and fees for the
Party Lotteries and Licensee Lotteries to pay the Product Group for the services it renders to them
and shall be paid as a fee for services by each of the Party Lotteries and Licensee Lotteries in
accordance with estimated sales. An acceptable method of payment shall be determined by the
Product Group, subject to approval by the Board.
If a lottery withdraws from participation in the product group without giving proper notice
of such withdrawal before approval of the group's budget, then that Participating Lottery shall not
be entitled to a refund of its contributions to the budget.
If the Product Group terminates before the end of a fiscal year, all unspent funds shall be
returned to the lotteries that contributed to the Group’s budget, however Group contributions to
MUSL overhead expenses shall not be refunded.
Amended April 24, 1997; December 12, 2001; May 4, 2005; December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012;
June 5, 2014; September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
PB RULE 4DRAWINGS.
The Executive Director shall establish, with Product Group approval, the Drawing Procedures to
be followed at each Powerball®, Power Play® and Double Play Drawing. The Drawing
Procedures shall include procedures for randomly selecting the Powerball Winning Numbers, the
Power Play multiplier, and the Double Play Winning Numbers.
Drawings shall be held at the times and places established by the Product Group and the results
shall be subsequently announced to the public. All Drawings shall be open to the public and shall
be witnessed by an independent certified public accounting firm and other Selling Lottery officials
as may be required by jurisdiction statute.
The Participating Lottery Director shall determine the time for the end of sales of Powerball Plays
and Double Play Plays prior to the Drawings, which shall not be less than a minimum of fifty-nine
(59) minutes between the close of the Play sales and the time of the Drawing for those Plays sold.
Lotteries shall not process Plays for that Drawing after the time established by the Participating
Lottery Director.
The Product Group shall designate the type of Drawing equipment to be used and any equipment
used in a Drawing shall be inspected and tested by the MUSL in the presence of an independent
certified public accounting firm before the Drawing, and shall be inspected by the MUSL in the
presence of an independent certified public accounting firm after the Drawing. All Drawings,
inspections, and tests shall be recorded.
Amended December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015
drawing; September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018; and April 5, 2018;
amended December 5, 2019; June 16, 2022.
PB RULE 5 RESERVED.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
PB RULE 6RECORDS MANAGEMENT.
6.1 Records Defined. "Records" shall mean any document, paper, photograph, or
recording made or received, in any form, in connection with the official business of the Product
Group. Records do not include materials made or acquired for reference or exhibition purposes,
or miscellaneous papers or correspondence without official significance.
Amended September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
6.2 Duties of Executive Director. The Executive Director shall maintain Product Group
records in a secure and orderly manner.
6.3 Confidentiality. To the maximum extent practical, Product Group records shall be
made available for inspection by Participating Lotteries in a reasonable and responsible manner.
Amended June 15, 2016; September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
6.4 Records Retention. The Executive Director shall establish the minimum retention
period for each record or class of record with Product Group approval. The Executive Director
shall establish the criteria for the disposal of Product Group records.
PB RULE 7 RESERVED.
PB RULE 8PETITION FOR ADMISSION / LOTTERY LICENSE.
8.1 Minimum ICS Standards. A Lottery seeking admission to the Product Group, or
seeking a license to sell the game, shall have a fully tested internal control system that meets or
exceeds the minimum standards set forth in MUSL Rule 2 (Minimum ICS Standards) before sales
of Plays commence. The Security and Integrity Committee shall review the internal control
systems of each lottery seeking admission to the Product Group, or seeking to become a Licensee
Lottery selling a game of the Product Group, for compliance with Rule 2 (Minimum ICS
Standards) and shall issue a written report summarizing its findings.
Amended November 15, 2012; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015
drawing; September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
8.2 Other Admission Requirements. The Product Group shall determine other admission
or licensing requirements as allowed by the Agreement.
Amended December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012.
PB RULE 9EXPULSION OR SUSPENSION OF A PARTY LOTTERY /
TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF A LICENSEE LOTTERY / REINSTATEMENT
OF A PARTY LOTTERY OR A LICENSEE LOTTERY
9.1 The Product Group can expel or suspend a Party Lottery of the Product Group for
cause as determined in the sole discretion of the Product Group with the consent of two-thirds
(2/3) or more of the members casting votes in conformance with the MUSL Agreement. If the
Product Group votes to expel or suspend a Party Lottery as provided in the Agreement, the Party
Lottery being considered for expulsion or suspension shall be excluded from voting on that matter,
and shall also be excluded from voting in any subsequent vote by the Product Group to reinstate
that Party Lottery.
Amended November 15, 2012; June 25, 2013; September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective
January 4, 2018; May 9, 2019; January 7, 2021.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
9.2 The Product Group can terminate or suspend the license of a Licensee Lottery for cause
as determined in the sole discretion of the Product Group with the consent of two-thirds (2/3) or
more of the members casting votes.
Adopted December 8-9, 2009; Amended November 15, 2012; September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to
be effective January 4, 2018; and April 5, 2018; May 9, 2019; January 7, 2021.
9.3 The Product Group can reinstate a Party Lottery of the Product Group with the consent
of two-thirds (2/3) or more of the members casting votes in conformance with the MUSL
Agreement; requests for reinstatement shall be considered by the Product Group at its earliest
convenience, following submission by the requesting lottery of sufficient support for such
reinstatement.
Added: September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018; May 9, 2019; January
7, 2021.
9.4 The Product Group can reinstate a Licensee Lottery with the consent of
two-thirds (2/3) or more of the members casting votes; requests for reinstatement shall be
considered by the Product Group at is earliest convenience, following submission by the requesting
lottery of sufficient support for such reinstatement.
Added: September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018; Amended May 9, 2019;
January 7, 2021.
9.5 Any Participating Lottery, which fails, is unwilling, or loses the ability to transfer prize
contributions as required under these Rules, shall suspend its sales of Powerball within seven (7)
days of such failure or loss of ability. The Participating Lottery may request reinstatement as
provided for under these Rules. Failure to notify the Product Group of such circumstances, or of
the suspension of sales, or the failure to suspend sales as required, shall be grounds for suspension
or termination.
Added: September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
9.6 Any Participating Lottery that fails, is unwilling, or loses the ability to pay all prize
levels in the game(s) after prize claimants have met all prize claim procedures of the Participating
Lottery, the Group and the MUSL Board, shall immediately suspend its sales of Powerball upon
such failure, unwillingness, or loss of ability. The Participating Lottery may request reinstatement
as provided for under these Rules. Failure to notify the Product Group of such circumstances, or
of the suspension of sales, or the failure to suspend sales as required, shall be grounds for
suspension or termination.
Added: September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
9.7 The liabilities and obligations under these Rules of any Participating Lottery, that has
been terminated, suspended, or that has suspended sales, shall continue until all such liabilities and
obligations are fulfilled.
Added: September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
PB RULE 10ADVERTISING.
10.1 Unfair Advertising. No Selling Lottery may advertise, either directly or indirectly,
that Plays sold in its jurisdiction offer better odds, better chances of winning, or better payoffs than
Plays sold in other jurisdictions. This rule does not prohibit a Selling Lottery from offering retailer
promotions or other creative promotions designed to increase the sale of Plays.
Amended May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017 and January
4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
10.2 Powerball Grand Prize Estimate. No Selling Lottery may advertise an estimated or
guaranteed Powerball Grand Prize amount that is different than the estimated or guaranteed
Powerball Grand Prize amount provided to the Selling Lottery by the Product Group.
Adopted February 1, 2006; Amended December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; December 10, 2014;
December 5, 2019.
PB RULE 11PLAY PRICE
11.1 Uniform Price. Each Play shall be sold at retail for the price set by the Product
Group.
Amended May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017 and January
4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
11.2 Taxes. The Play price set by the Product Group shall include all the applicable taxes
that a Selling Lottery may be required to collect.
Amended November 15, 2012; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September
12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
11.3 Discounts, Rebates, and Promotions. A Selling Lottery may offer Plays through
discounts, rebates, or promotions, without Product Group approval, for a period not to exceed
ninety (90) days in any six-month period after advising all Group members of the terms and dates
of the offering. A Selling Lottery may offer other discounts, rebates, or promotions as may be
approved by the Product Group.
Amended November 15, 2012; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September
12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
11.4 Plays as Prizes. Nothing in this rule shall prohibit a Selling Lottery from offering
Plays as a prize in any other game or promotion operated by the Selling Lottery after advising all
Group members of the terms and dates of the offering.
Amended December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September
12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
11.5 Contribution to Prize Pool. Selling lotteries that offer Plays as a prize or as part of
an authorized discount, promotion, or rebate shall contribute to the prize pool the full amount
assessed for a play sold at the uniform price.
Adopted July 5, 2002; Amended August 6, 2009; December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; May 22, 2015
to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective
January 4, 2018.
Comment. Rules 11.3 and 11.4 are intended to require reporting only where the price of the Play
is reduced by a promotion or is given away for free. A Selling Lottery need not report promotions that do
not change the price of the Play. Promotions that increase the “value” of a Play or that offer other lottery
games free or at a reduced price with the purchase of a Play do not need to be reported. The intent of the
rule is to advise contiguous lotteries when their players might find that they can get the same Play at a
reduced price from another lottery not that they can get that other lottery’s games at a reduced price.
Comment last updated September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
PB RULE 12SALE OF PLAYS.
12.1 Authorized Agents. Plays shall be sold only through agents and means authorized
by a Selling Lottery.
Amended May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017 and January
4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
12.2 Printed Plays. Plays shall be sold through an authorized Selling Lottery and, other
than ticketless transaction Plays, shall be printed on paper that meets the security requirements
used in the Selling Lottery's other games and other requirements adopted by the MUSL Board and
the Product Group.
Amended November 15, 2012; June 25, 2013; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015
drawing; September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018; June 16, 2022.
12.3 MUSL Markings. All Play Slips used in the game shall contain registered game
trademarks and shall communicate other information as may be required by the MUSL Board and
the Group.
Amended November 15, 2012; December 10, 2014; Amended March 20, 2017 to be effective with the
September 30, 2017 drawing.
12.4 Game Sell Out Prohibited. No Selling Lottery shall directly and knowingly sell a
Play or combination of Plays to any person or entity that would guarantee such purchaser a
Powerball Grand Prize or Double Play First Prize win.
Amended November 15, 2012; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; December
5, 2019 to be effective with the drawing on April 22, 2020.
12.5 Location and Method of Sales. An offer to buy and an offer to sell a Play shall be
made only at a location or only by a method that is licensed, certified, authorized, or contracted by
the Selling Lottery.
Adopted February 1, 2006; Amended December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; May 22, 2015 to be
effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January
4, 2018.
12.6 If a Selling Lottery receives notification from a lottery in another jurisdiction that
Powerball Plays, shares, or rights in Plays issued by the Selling Lottery are being advertised,
promoted or sold in that other jurisdiction, and also receives notification that such activities are
not legal in that jurisdiction, the Selling Lottery has thirty (30) days to investigate and respond to
the reporting jurisdictions lottery from the date of notification; at the request of the Selling
Lottery, the time to investigate and respond may be extended as necessary in the discretion of the
Powerball Group Chair.
If the Selling Lotterys investigation concludes that such activities are occurring, the
Selling Lotterys response must include a remedial plan to prevent such activities. The affected
Selling Lottery must also provide notification to the Executive Director of the notice received, the
results of the investigation, and any remedial plan. The Executive Director must transmit this
information to the membership in a timely manner.
Failure to investigate, respond, and/or take remedial action to such notification may
constitute cause as referenced in Powerball Rule 9.
Adopted November 1, 2018.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
PB RULE 13PRIZE PAYMENTS.
No Selling Lottery may pay Powerball prizes that are less than or more than the prize amounts
established by the Product Group. The prize won cannot be indirectly increased by Selling Lottery
promotions or agent promotions that have the effect of increasing the designated prize.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Selling Lottery that, due to jurisdictional law requirements,
separately determines its low-tier prize amounts and does not share prize liability with other
lotteries, will be exempt from this rule with respect to any low tier prize amounts.
Adopted February 1, 2006; Amended December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; June 5, 2014; September
12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
Comment: Due to its jurisdictional law requirements, on November 15, 2012, the Powerball Group
concluded that the California Lottery shall be exempt from this Rule with respect to any low-tier prize
amounts.
PB RULE 14POWERBALL AND DOUBLE PLAY PRIZE FUND TRANSFERS.
14.1 Prize Funds Transferred to MUSL.
14.1(a) Participating Lotteries. Funds shall be collected from or transferred to each
Participating Lottery weekly by wire transfer, electronic funds transfer, or other means acceptable
to the Product Group as described herein or as determined by the Product Group.
The amount to be transferred shall be calculated in accordance with these rules. The
Product Group shall determine collection days.
Except as may be noted in 14.1(b), each Participating Lottery shall transfer to MUSL in
trust an amount as determined by the Product Group to be its total proportionate share of the
Powerball prize pool less actual low-tier Powerball prize liability, its proportionate share of its
Power Play Prize Pool less actual Power Play prize liability, and its proportionate share of its
Double Play Prize Pool, less actual Double Play low-tier prize liability. If this results in a negative
amount, the MUSL central office shall transfer funds from the appropriate prize account to the
Participating Lottery.
Adopted September 10, 1998; Amended December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; December 10, 2014;
May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; June 15, 2016; September 12, 2017 and
January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018; and April 5, 2018; December 5, 2019 to be effective with
the drawing on April 22, 2020; January 7, 2021; February 4, 2021.
Comment: For Powerball and Power Play prize pool reserve account contributions: At its meetings on
January 11, 2010 and October 13, 2020, the Product Group determined that funds shall be collected
weekly from Party Lotteries on the Monday, or the first banking day that is fourteen (14) days from the
applicable Monday Drawing; twelve (12) days from the applicable Wednesday Drawing; and nine (9)
days from the applicable Saturday Drawing.
For Double Play prize pool contributions: At is meeting on December 5, 2019, the Product
Group determined that the proportionate share of Double Play prize pool contribution funds shall be
collected weekly from Participating Lotteries on the Monday or the first banking day that is fourteen (14)
days from the applicable Monday Drawing; twelve (12) days from the applicable Wednesday Drawing;
and nine (9) days from the applicable Saturday Drawing.
Intra-Fund Borrowing: If funds are needed to pay a prize when due, MUSL may borrow funds
from other accounts of this Product Group, of the MUSL Operations Account, after approval of the
Product Group Officers, the Finance and Audit Committee, and the Executive Committee. The borrowed
funds shall be immediately replenished upon collection of prize funds from Participating Lotteries.
Funds to pay a Powerball prize may not be borrowed from the Double Play accounts; and, funds to
pay a Double Play prize may not be borrowed from Powerball accounts.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
Comment updated September 12, 2017; January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018; April 5, 2018;
December 5, 2019 to be effective with the Drawing on April 22, 2020; October 13, 2020 to be effective
with the transfer of funds on the Monday, or the first banking day that is fourteen (14) days from the
applicable Monday Drawing beginning with the August 23, 2021 drawing; January 7, 2021; February 4,
2021.
14.1(b) Licensee Lotteries. Licensee Lotteries shall adhere to PB Rule 14.1(a) unless a
different process is approved by the Product Group.
Adopted December 8-9, 2009; Amended November 15, 2012.
Comment. At its meeting on December 8-9, 2009, the Product Group agreed to exclude the
Licensed Lotteries involved in the cross-selling initiative of Powerball and Mega Millions from PB
Rule14.1(a) regarding Powerball and Power Play fund transfers, and such Licensee Lotteries shall
transfer to the MUSL in trust an agreed-upon amount as its total proportionate share of a Powerball
Grand Prize or Match 5 Bonus Prize amounts. At its meeting on June 24, 2011, the Product Group agreed
to eliminate the Match 5 Bonus Prize beginning with the draw on January 18, 2012, ending the need for a
Match 5 Bonus Prize transfer. By agreement with the Licensee Lotteries, MUSL will transfer Powerball
Grand Prize funds to the Licensee Lotteries’ Powerball Clearinghouse (currently the Virginia Lottery)
within thirteen (13) calendar days from the date of the winning Powerball Grand Prize draw at a Licensee
Lottery. If a winning Grand Prize Play is sold by a Party Lottery, the Licensee Lotteries’ Powerball
Clearinghouse shall collect the funds from the Licensee Lotteries and shall transfer their Grand prize
shares to MUSL within fourteen (14) calendar days of the winning Powerball Grand Prize draw.
Comment updated September 12, 2017; January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018; April 5, 2018;
December 5, 2019 to be effective with the Drawing on April 22, 2020; October 13, 2020 to be effective
with the transfer of funds on the Monday, or the first banking day that is fourteen (14) days from the
applicable Monday Drawing beginning with the August 23, 2021 drawing; January 7, 2021; February 4,
2021.
14.2 Powerball Grand Prize and Double Play First Prize Funds Transferred to Selling
Lottery. Powerball Grand Prize amounts and Double Play First Prize amounts held by MUSL
shall be transferred to the Selling Lottery immediately after the Selling Lottery validates the prize
claim and for a Powerball Grand Prize, a Powerball Grand Prize payout election has been
determined, and after MUSL has collected the prize pool shares from all Selling Lotteries.
Adopted September 9, 1998; Amended March 5, 2003; December 8-9, 2009; June 24, 2011 to be effective
for draws beginning January 18, 2012; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October
7, 2015 drawing; June 15, 2016.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
14.3 Unclaimed Powerball Grand Prizes and Double Play First Prizes. All funds to
pay a Powerball Grand Prize, or a Double Play First Prize that had been collected by MUSL from
a Selling Lottery and that went unclaimed shall be returned to the Selling Lotteries in proportion
to sales by Selling Lotteries for the Powerball Grand Prize or Double Play First Prize in question
after the claiming period set by the Selling Lottery selling the winning Play expires.
If after a winning Play has not been claimed or redeemed and the corresponding prize
monies have been returned to Selling Lotteries pursuant to this Rule, a claim is made or redemption
sought that a Selling Lottery pays (i) as a result of the provisions of the Servicemembers Civil
Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. §3901 as amended) (SCRA); (ii) as a result of jurisdictional legislation
adopted to satisfy the requirements of the SCRA; or (iii) as a result of jurisdictional legislation
requiring such payment to a member of the armed forces who was engaged in active military
service outside the paying Selling Lottery jurisdiction when the usual permitted time period to
make a claim or seek redemption expired, each other Selling Lottery, that was a Selling Lottery at
the time of the Drawing, shall reimburse the paying Selling Lottery in an amount equal to the
amount such other Selling Lottery would have contributed to the prize had the claim been made or
redemption sought within the usual permitted time period for that claim or redemption. The
provisions of this rule shall remain in force and effect and be binding upon the Participating
Lotteries without regard to whether the Powerball game remains in existence and/or whether the
Participating Lottery seeking reimbursement has withdrawn from the game at the time a
Participating Lottery seeks reimbursement pursuant to this rule.
Adopted September 9, 1998; Amended July 5, 2002; March 5, 2003; December 8-9, 2009; June 24, 2011
to be effective for draws beginning January 18, 2012; November 15, 2012; December 10, 2014; May 22,
2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be
effective January 4, 2018.
PB RULES 15 through 20 RESERVED.
PB RULE 21ADVANCE SALES.
Proceeds from advance sales may be held by the Selling Lottery until the draw date for which the
Play applies.
Adopted February 1, 2006. Amended May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing;
September 12, 2017 and January 4, 2018 to be effective January 4, 2018.
PB RULES 22 through 25 RESERVED.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
PART II GENERAL RULES FOR POWERBALL AND ADD-ON GAME
PROMOTIONS
PB RULE 26DEFINITIONS.
The following definitions apply to all Parts of these rules unless the context requires a different
meaning or is otherwise inconsistent with the intention of these rules adopted by the Product
Group. Capitalized terms used but not defined in these rules shall have the meanings ascribed to
them in the MUSL Agreement.
Amended December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012.
26.1 Advertised Grand Prize” shall mean the estimated annuitized Powerball Grand Prize
amount as determined by the MUSL Central Office by use of the MUSL Annuity Factor and
communicated through the Selling Lotteries prior to the Powerball Grand Prize Drawing. The
“Advertised Grand Prizeis not a guaranteed prize amount and the actual Powerball Grand Prize
amount may vary from the advertised amount, except in circumstances where there is a guaranteed
Powerball Grand Prize amount as described in Rule 30.5.
Adopted May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; Amended December 5, 2019.
26.2 "Agent" or "retailer" means a person or entity authorized by a Selling Lottery to
sell lottery Plays.
Amended May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017 , January
4, 2018 and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018.
26.3 A "Drawing" refers collectively to the formal draw event for randomly selecting the
winning indicia that determine the number of winners for each prize level of the Powerball game
or a Powerball game promotion as described in these Rules. A Powerball Drawing shall determine
the winning indicia for the Powerball game and the Power Play multiplier. Winning indicia for
the Powerball game include the Winning Numbers drawn for the Powerball game, and the number
drawn to determine the Power Play multiplier.
Amended November 15, 2012; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015
drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on
September 15, 2018.
26.4 "Computer pick" means the random selection of game play number indicia by the
authorized retailer computer that appear on a ticket or ticketless transaction and are played by a
player in the game.
Amended November 15, 2012; December 10, 2014; December 30, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with
the October 7, 2015 drawing; December 5, 2019 to be effective with the drawing on June 3, 2020.
26.5 “Double Play Promotion” means an add-on game to the Powerball game as defined
in Part V of these Rules.
Adopted December 5, 2019 to be effective with the drawing on June 3, 2020.
26.6 “Double Play Drawing” refers collectively to the formal draw event performed for the
selection of the game results that determine the number of winners for each prize level of the
Double Play Promotion.
Adopted December 5, 2019 to be effective with the drawing on June 3, 2020.
26.7 “Double Play Plays” or “DP Plays” shall refer to a purchased wager, as defined in
Part V of these Rules, that must be made at the same time a Powerball Play is purchased. Double
Play Plays do not include Powerball Plays or Power Play Plays.
Adopted December 5, 2019 to be effective with the drawing on April 22, 2020.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
26.8 "Game ticket" or "Ticket" means the physical evidence of a Play, printed on paper
that meets the play and security data required by the Selling Lottery, these Game Rules, and the
MUSL Rules that allow redemption of a prize. Tickets may be printed by terminals or Retailer
Controlled Selling Devices as permitted by these Rules and the Selling Lottery. Affected MUSL
Rules include, but are not limited to MUSL Rules 2.14, 2.20, and 2.21.
Amended October 5, 2004; November 15, 2012; June 25, 2013; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be
effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be
effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018; June 16, 2022.
26.9 Grand Prize” shall refer to the top prize in the Powerball game.
Adopted December 10, 2014. Amended May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015
drawing.
26.10 “Licensee Lottery” shall mean a state lottery or lottery of a governmental unit,
political subdivision, or entity thereof that is not a Party Lottery but has agreed to comply with all
applicable MUSL and Product Group requirements and has been authorized by the MUSL and by
the Powerball Product Group to sell the Powerball game.
Adopted December 8-9, 2009; Amended November 15, 2012; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be
effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing.
26.11 "MUSL" means the Multi-State Lottery Association, a government-benefit
association wholly owned and operated by the Party Lotteries.
26.12 “MUSL Annuity Factor” shall mean the annuity factor as determined by the MUSL
central office through a method approved by the MUSL Finance and Audit Committee and which
is used as described in these Rules.
Adopted May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing.
26.13 "MUSL Board" means the governing body of the MUSL, which is comprised of the
chief executive officer of each Party Lottery.
Amended November 15, 2012; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing.
26.14 “MUSL Finance and Audit Committee” shall mean the committee of that name
established by the MUSL Board.
Adopted June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016.
26.15 “Pari-Mutuel” or “pari-mutuel” shall mean wagered funds that are pooled and then
paid in equal shares to the winners of a prize as described in these Rules.
Adopted September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on
September 15, 2018.
26.16 "Party Lottery" or “Member Lottery” means a state lottery or lottery of a political
subdivision or entity that has joined the MUSL and, in the context of these Product Group Rules,
that is authorized to sell the Powerball game. Unless otherwise indicated, “Party Lottery” or
“Member Lottery” does not include “Licensee Lotteries.”
Amended June 20, 2006; December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the
October 7, 2015 drawing.
26.17 "Play" or "Bet" means the six (6) numbers, the first five (5) from a field of sixty-nine
(69) numbers and the last one (1) from a field of twenty-six (26) numbers, that appear on a ticket
or communicated in a ticketless transaction as a single lettered selection, either manually or by a
Computer Pick, and are to be played by a player in the Powerball game.
“Power Play” Plays are separately described in Part III of these Rules.
Amended July 5, 2002; May 4, 2005; August 20, 2008; June 14, 2011 and effective for draws beginning
January 18, 2012; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing;
September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on September 15,
2018; December 5, 2019.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
“Double Play” Plays are separately described in Part V of these Rules.
26.18 “Powerball Play or Plays” (aka PB Plays) shall refer to Plays purchased as a wager
as part of the Powerball game, as defined in Part III of these Rules, but shall not include Power
Play Plays.
26.19 “Power Play” shall refer to Power Play promotion as described in Part III of these
Rules.
26.20 Power Play Plays” shall refer to Plays purchased as part of the Power Play
Promotion described in Part III of these Rules.
26.21 “Product Group” or “the Groupmeans a group of lotteries that has joined together
to offer a product pursuant to the terms of the Multi-State Lottery Agreement and the Product
Group’s own rules.
Amended November 15, 2012; June 5, 2014.
26.22 "Play Slip" or "Bet Slip" means a physical or electronic means by which a player
communicates their intended Play selection to the retailer as defined and approved by the Selling
Lottery. A Play Slip or Bet Slip is not a ticket or ticketless transaction.
Amended December 10, 2014; Amended March 20, 2017 to be effective with the September 30, 2017
drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on
September 15, 2018; June 16, 2022.
26.23 “Registered Play” means a wager where the play is owned by a specifically identified
player through a means acceptable to the Selling Lottery, and which is recorded on the Selling
Lottery’s computer gaming system and internal control system.
Adopted June 16, 2022.
26.24 “Retailer Controlled Selling Device” means a device which is not a Terminal and
which is controlled by a retailer for the purpose of issuing lottery tickets and entering, receiving,
and processing lottery transactions, including making purchases, validating tickets, and
transmitting reports. Examples of Retailer Controlled Selling Devices include cash registers.
Retailer Controlled Selling Devices must meet all security requirements of the Selling Lottery,
these Rules and the MUSL Rules. Retailer Controlled Selling Devices do not include player
provided point of sale devices such as smartphones.
Adopted June 16, 2022.
26.25 “Selling Lottery” or “Participating Lottery” shall mean a lottery authorized by the
Product Group to sell Plays, including Party Lotteries and Licensee Lotteries.
Adopted December 8-9, 2009.
Amended May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; June 15, 2016 to be effective with
the drawing on October 19, 2016; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective
with the drawing on September 15, 2018.
26.26 "Set Prize", also referred to as “low-tier prize”, means all other prizes, except the
Powerball Grand Prize and the Double Play First Prize, and, except in instances outlined in these
rules, will be equal to the prize amount established by the Product Group for the prize level.
Amended November 15, 2012; June 5, 2014; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the
October 7, 2015 drawing; June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016; September
12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018;
December 5, 2019 to be effective with the drawing on June 3, 2020.
26.27 "Terminal" means a device that meets all security and definitional requirements of
these Rules, the MUSL Rules and the Selling Lottery, and which is authorized by a Selling Lottery
to function in an on-line, interactive mode with the Selling Lottery’s computer gaming system for
the purpose of issuing lottery tickets and entering, receiving, and processing lottery transactions,
including making purchases, validating tickets, and transmitting reports. The term Terminal does
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
not include a Retailer Controlled Selling Device such as a cash register or player provided point
of sale device such as a smartphone.
Amended December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective
with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective
with the drawing on September 15, 2018; June 16, 2022.
26.28 “Ticketless Transaction” means any Play that is not printed on paper that meets the
anti-counterfeiting requirements described in the MUSL Rules. Examples of Ticketless
Transactions include internet, subscription, and other types of Registered Plays. All Ticketless
Transactions must be Registered Plays. Any Play sold through a Terminal, but which is a
Registered Play requiring confirmation of the player’s identity upon prize redemption shall be
considered a Ticketless Transaction even when a receipt, summation, or recognition of purchase
is printed by or through the device.
Amended June 25, 2013; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the
drawing on September 15, 2018; June 16, 2022.
26.29 Reserved.
26.30 Reserved.
26.31 Reserved.
26.32 "Winning Numbers" means the game results selected during a Drawing which shall
be used to determine winning Plays contained on a Game Ticket or a Ticketless Transaction.
Amended December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September
12, 201; January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018;
December 5, 2019 to be effective with the drawing on June 3, 2020; June 16, 2022.
PB RULE 27 GENERAL RULES, INCLUDING PROOF OF PLAY, PLAY
CANCELLATIONS, MAXIMUM PURCHASE AND MATRIX CHANGES.
27.1 Proof of Play. Unless otherwise permitted by a selling lottery, a ticket (subject to the
validation requirements set forth in Rule 31 (Play Validation)) or properly registered ticketless
transaction shall be the only proof of a game Play or Plays and the submission of a winning ticket
to the issuing Selling Lottery or its authorized agent shall be the sole method of claiming a prize
or prizes. A Play Slip, paper receipt or printed summation of a Play printed by a Terminal which
is not a ticket has no pecuniary or prize value and shall not constitute evidence of a Play purchase
or numbers selected.
Amended October 5, 2004; December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; June 5, 2014; December 10, 2014;
May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and
April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018; June 16, 2022.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
27.2 Cancellations Prohibited; Request for Plays, Returned Plays, Incomplete
Transaction Plays, Stolen Plays and Refunds for Game Cancellations.
(a) Plays Non-Cancellable. In all instances, a Play recorded on the CGS may not be voided
or cancelled by returning the ticket or ticketless transaction to the Retailer or to the Selling Lottery,
including tickets that are misprinted, illegible, printed in error, or for any reason not successfully
transferred to an authorized selling entity or Player.
(b) Request for Plays. A lottery may conduct future sales through a subscription or other
system that does not immediately record such sales on the CGS. A “Request for Play” is a sale
that is not immediately recorded on the CGS, but is instead recorded onto the CGS at some future
time prior to a draw event. At the sole discretion of the lottery, authorized sales through a
subscription or other system which have not been recorded on the CGS (instead recorded as
“Request for Plays”), may be cancelled at any time prior to the time the Request for Play is
recorded as a Play on the CGS. If a Request for Play is cancelled, it shall not be recorded on the
CGS.
Per 27.2(a), once a Play is recorded on the CGS, it may not be cancelled at any time. Any
cancelled “Request for Play” shall not be include in sales data report to MUSL.
Comment: Examples of instances when Selling Lotteries may desire to permit cancellation of
subscription “Request for Plays” include game matrix changes, price changes, modifications of game
features, players who enroll in self-exclusion programs, and other circumstances as may be determined by
the Selling Lottery.
(c) Returned Plays. To promote good Player or Retailer relations, a Selling Lottery, at is
sole discretion, may develop a method of compensating Players or Retailers for Plays accepted by
the Selling Lottery as returned to the Selling Lottery (“Returned Plays”) that are misprinted,
illegible, printed in error, future Plays affected by changes in game features by the Selling Lottery
or due to game cancellations.
Returned Plays may not be cancelled or voided. Returned Plays are not reported to MUSL.
The Selling Lottery Must remit its required prize pool contributions on all Plays accepted
as returned Plays by the Selling Lottery.
Returned Plays may not be claimed for a prize by any person or entity, including the Selling
Lottery. Any prizes which would have been won on a Returned Play shall become an unclaimed
prize at the end of the prize claim period.
(d) Incomplete Transaction Plays. Incomplete Transaction Plays occur when a Retailer
begins a Play transaction as requested by a Player, and the Play is registered on the CGS, but the
transaction is terminated prior to transferring Play confirmation to the Player, there is no attempt
to print the Play on a ticket, and the Player has not paid for the Play. Transaction terminations
may be due to time sensitivities, communications loss or other issues as accepted by the Selling
Lottery.
A Selling Lottery, at its sole discretion, may develop an approved method of managing
Incomplete Transaction Plays, subject to these provisions.
Incomplete Transaction Plays may not be cancelled or voided.
The Selling Lottery must remit its required prize pool contributions on any Incomplete
Transaction Plays. At its sole discretion, the Selling Lottery may develop a method of
compensation Retailers for Incomplete Transaction Plays if Retailers are required to reimburse
Selling Lotteries for prize pool contributions.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
Incomplete Transaction Plays may not be claimed for a prize by any person or entity
including the Retailer. Any prize which cannot be claimed as a prize under this Rule but would
otherwise have been won on an Incomplete Transaction Play shall become an unclaimed prize at
the end of the prize claim period of the drawing for which the Incomplete Transaction Play was
recorded. Incomplete Transaction Plays are not reported to MUSL.
(e) Stolen Plays. Plays reported as stolen from a Retailer that have been recovered cannot
be accepted by the Selling Lottery as Returned Plays.
Selling Lotteries may compensate a Retailer for the loss from theft if a Selling Lottery,
solely at is discretion, determines to assume such a loss, but Stolen Plays cannot be cancelled or
voided.
Ownership of Stolen Plays, and whether any party has a right to claim prizes on Stolen
Plays, shall be determined by the rules of the Selling Lottery.
(f) Game Cancellation. In the event of cancellation of the Game by the Product Group
prior to the occurrence of all drawings for which Plays have been sold and recorded on the CGS,
the Selling Lottery may provide a refund mechanism for such Plays to the Players, and the Selling
Lottery shall not be required to remit its prize pool contributions for any such refunded Plays.
(g) Selling Lotteries Prohibited from Claiming Prizes. Selling Lotteries and lottery
officials are prohibited from claiming any prizes on Plays that are owned by the Selling Lottery
through “Returned Plays” or otherwise acquired and held by the Selling Lottery. Any prizes that
would otherwise be won on Plays owned or acquired by Selling Lotteries shall become unclaimed
prizes at the end of the prize claim period.
Amended November 15, 2012; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015
drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on
September 15, 2018; September 24, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on March 30, 2019.
27.3 Player Responsibility. It shall be the sole responsibility of the player to verify the
accuracy of the game Play or Plays and other data printed on the ticket or contained in a ticketless
transaction. The placing of Plays is done at the player's own risk through the agent that is acting
on behalf of the player in entering the Play or Plays. The purchaser of a Play or Plays through a
ticketless transaction has the sole responsibility for verifying the accuracy and condition of the
data at the time of purchase.
Amended November 15, 2012; June 5, 2014; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the
October 7, 2015 drawing.
27.4 Entry of Plays. Plays may only be entered as approved by the Selling Lottery by
such means as approved by the Selling Lottery. Retailers shall not permit the use of Play Slips
that are not allowed by the Selling Lottery. Retailers shall not permit any device to enter Plays,
except as allowed by the Selling Lottery.
Amended December 8-9, 2009; December 10, 2014; Amended March 20, 2017 to be effective with the
September 30, 2017 drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with
the drawing on September 15, 2018; June 16, 2022.
27.5. Registration of Plays. Ticketless transaction Plays may be registered with the
Selling Lottery in a manner that meets the requirements established by the Product Group, the
Selling Lottery, and the MUSL Rules.
Adopted October 5, 2004; Amended December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; June 25, 2013; December
10, 2014; June 16, 2022.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
27.6 Maximum Purchase. Except for a ticketless transaction Play purchase when the
lottery has a process in place to allow players to make changes to their Play purchases in the event
of a game change, the maximum number of consecutive Drawings on a single Play purchase is
thirty-nine (39). The maximum number of consecutive Drawings encompassed by a ticketless
transaction Play purchase when the lottery has a process in place to allow players to make changes
to their Play purchases in the event of a game change is one hundred fifty-six (156). The maximum
number of Drawing purchases may be further limited by the Selling Lottery Director.
Adopted September 12, 2017 to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018; January 7,
2021.
27.7. Matrix Changes. In the event of a matrix change, the Selling Lottery that issued the
ticketless transaction will determine the option(s) available to ticketless transaction purchasers
from that Selling Lottery for the balance of Plays remaining on their ticketless transactions
effective as of the date of the matrix change.
Adopted September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing
on September 15, 2018.
27.8 Emergency Rule-making Authority. Pursuant to the Product Group’s fiduciary
duties, it may become necessary for the Product Group to adopt rule changes or modifications to
protect the integrity of the game in response to an imminent crisis or emergency. Such rule changes
or modifications shall take into effect immediately, or otherwise as indicated by the Product Group,
without prior notification to players or the public.
A rule change or modification adopted pursuant to this Section is effective upon the affirmative
vote of three-fourths (3/4) or more of the Members casting votes, and shall continue in effect until
otherwise determined by the Product Group.
Adopted June 22, 2020; Amended January 7, 2021.
Comment: the Product Group recognizes that rule-making procedures in each participating
jurisdiction are unique and play a critical role in the governance of the multi-jurisdictional game; this Rule
should be adopted by each jurisdiction for clarity to Players and the public.
PB RULES 28 29 RESERVED.
PB RULE 30 PRIZE PAYMENTS.
30.1 Powerball Grand Prize.
Portions of Rule 30.1 were previously amended: September 9, 1998, December 21, 1998, March
15, 1999, February 3, 2002; July 5, 2002; May 4, 2005; October 11, 2006; August 20, 2008; December 8-
9, 2009; November 15, 2012; June 25, 2013 to be effective October 1, 2013; June 5, 2014; December 10,
2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; October 22, 2015 to be effective with
the February 3, 2016 drawing; June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016.
(a) Powerball Grand Prizes shall be paid, at the election of the player made no later than
sixty (60) days after the player becomes entitled to the prize, with either a per-winner annuity or
single lump sum payment (which may be referred to as the “cash option”). If the payment election
is not made at the time of purchase and is not made by the player within sixty (60) days after the
player becomes entitled to the prize, then the prize shall be paid as an annuity prize. An election
for an annuity payment made by a player before ticket purchase or by system default or design
may be changed to a cash option payment at the election of the player until the expiration of sixty
(60) days after the player becomes entitled to the prize. The election to take the cash option
payment may be made at the time of the prize claim or within sixty (60) days after the player
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
becomes entitled to the prize. An election made after the winner becomes entitled to the prize is
final and cannot be revoked, withdrawn, or otherwise changed.
(b) The Powerball Grand Prize available in the GPP shall be determined by dividing the
funds available in the GPP on a pari-mutuel basis among all winning PB Plays of the Powerball
Grand Prize as described in these Rules.
Winner(s) who elect a cash option payment shall be paid their share(s) in a single lump
sum payment.
The annuitized option prize shall be determined by multiplying a winners share of the
Powerball Grand Prize pool by a process as approved by the MUSL Board.
Neither MUSL nor the Selling Lotteries shall be responsible or liable for changes in the
advertised or estimated annuity prize amount and the actual amount purchased after the prize
payment method is actually known to MUSL.
Amended September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on
September 15, 2018.
(c) In certain instances announced by the Product Group, the Powerball Grand Prize shall
be a guaranteed amount and shall be determined pursuant to Rule 30.5.
(d) If individual shares of the GPP funds held to fund an annuity is less than $250,000.00,
the Product Group, in its sole discretion, may elect to pay the winners their share of the funds held
in the GPP.
(e) All annuitized prizes shall be paid annually in thirty (30) payments with the initial
payment being made in a single payment, to be followed by twenty-nine (29) payments funded by
the annuity. Except as may be controlled by a Selling Lottery’s governing statute, all annuitized
prizes shall be paid annually in thirty (30) graduated payments (increasing each year) by a rate as
determined by the Product Group. Prize payments may be rounded down to the nearest one
thousand dollars ($1,000.00). Annual payments after the initial payment shall be made by the
lottery on the anniversary date or if such date falls on a non-business day, then the first business
day following the anniversary date of the selection of the Grand Prize Winning Numbers.
Comment: On July 8, 2005, the Product Group set the graduated rate at four percent (4%) per
year. On May 22, 2015 (to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing), the Product Group set the
graduated rate at five percent (5%) per year.
(f) Funds for the initial payment of an annuitized prize or the lump sum cash option prize
payment shall be made available by MUSL for payment by the Selling Lottery no earlier than the
fifteenth calendar day (or the next banking day if the fifteenth day is a holiday) following the
Drawing. If necessary, when the due date for the payment of a prize occurs before the receipt of
funds in the prize pool trust sufficient to pay the prize, the transfer of funds for the payment of the
full lump sum cash option amount may be delayed pending receipt of funds from the Selling
Lotteries. A paying lottery may elect to make the initial payment from its own funds after
validation, with notice to MUSL.
Comment: On September 9, 1998, the Product Group mandated a delay in payment to a Selling
Lottery until the validation of the claim. On August 20, 2008, the Product Group authorized the use of a
Party Lottery’s share of MUSL non-game earnings to fund annuity payments, as may be needed, in a
manner other than provided for in this rule, due to mandates of local statute.
(g) If a Party Lottery purchases or holds the prize payment annuity for a prize won in that
jurisdiction, that Party Lottery’s game rules, and any prize payment agreement with the prize
winner, shall indicate that the prize winner has no recourse on the MUSL or any other Selling
Lottery for payment of that prize.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
(h) In the event of the death of a lottery winner during the annuity payment period, unless
prohibited by jurisdictional law, the MUSL Finance & Audit Committee, in its sole discretion
excepting a discretionary review by the Product Group, upon the petition of the estate of the lottery
winner (the "Estate") to the lottery of the jurisdiction in which the deceased lottery winner
purchased the winning PB Play, and subject to federal, state, district, or territorial applicable laws,
may accelerate the payment of all of the remaining lottery proceeds to the Estate. If such a
determination is made, then securities and/or cash held to fund the deceased lottery winner's
annuitized prize may be distributed to the Estate. The identification of the securities to fund the
annuitized prize shall be at the sole discretion of the Finance & Audit Committee or the Product
Group.
Amended September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on
September 15, 2018.
Comment. Changes made to this Rule on December 21, 1998, are intended to provide players with
the advantages offered by the changes made to 26 U.S.C. §451. These rules should be interpreted in a
manner that is consistent with the purposes, requirements, and restrictions of that code section. Due to its
jurisdictional law, on November 15, 2012, the Powerball Group concluded that the provisions relating to
acceleration of annuity payments to an estate shall not be applicable to the California Lottery.
30.2 First Prize for Double Play.
(a) The Double Play First Prize is a fixed, non-annuitized value of $10 million for each
Double Play Drawing.
(b) If, in any Double Play drawing there are no DP Plays that qualify for the first Prize
category, the portion of the prize fund allocated to such First Prize category shall remain in the
First Prize pool for the next Double Play drawing.
(c) Funds for the payment of a First Prize shall be made available by MUSL for payment
by the Selling Lottery on a schedule approved by the Product Group. If necessary, when the due
date for the payment of a First Prize occurs before the receipt of funds in the FPP trust sufficient
to pay the prize, the transfer of funds for the payment of the First Prize may be delayed pending
receipt of funds from the Selling Lotteries participating in the Double Play Promotion. A Selling
Lottery may elect to make the First Prize payment from its own funds after validation, with notice
to MUSL.
Adopted December 5, 2019 to be effective with the drawing on April 22, 2020.
30.3 Set Prize. A Selling Lottery may begin paying low-tier prizes after receiving
authorization to pay from the MUSL central office. If a Selling Lottery, due to jurisdictional law
requirements, separately determines its low-tier prize amounts, it shall be solely responsible for its
low-tier prize liability, and may begin paying low-tier prizes after a Drawing when it determines
appropriate to do so.
Amended December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; June 5, 2014; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to
be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to
be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018.
Comment: Due to jurisdictional law requirements, on November 15, 2012, the Powerball Group
concluded that the California Lottery shall separately determine the low-tier prize values for that
jurisdiction.
30.4 Process for Prize Payments. All prizes (whether described as “cash” payment prizes
or otherwise) shall be paid through the Selling Lottery that sold the winning Play(s) and at the
discretion of the Selling Lottery that sold the winning Play(s) may be paid by cash, check, warrant
or electronic transfer.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
30.5 Powerball Grand Prizes Rounded. Annuitized payments of the Powerball Grand
Prize or a share of the Powerball Grand Prize may be rounded to facilitate the purchase of an
appropriate funding mechanism. Breakage on an annuitized Powerball Grand Prize win shall be
added to the first payment to the winner or winners. Prizes other than the Powerball Grand Prize,
which, under these rules, may become single-payment, pari-mutuel prizes, may be rounded down
so that prizes can be paid in multiples of whole dollars. Except with regards to low-tier prizes paid
by a Selling Lottery which separately determines its low-tier prize amounts pursuant to Rule 30.3,
breakage resulting from rounding these prizes shall be carried forward to the prize pool for the
next Drawing.
Amended November 15, 2012; June 5, 2014; December 10, 2014.
Comment: Due to jurisdictional law requirements, on November 15, 2012, the Powerball Group
concluded that the California Lottery shall separately determine the low-tier prize values for that
jurisdiction.
30.6 Powerball Prize Rollover. If the Powerball Grand Prize is not won in a Drawing,
the prize money allocated for the Grand Prize shall roll over and be added to the GPP for the
following Drawing.
Amended July 5, 2002; June 24, 2011 and effective for draws beginning January 18, 2012; December 10,
2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; October 22, 2015 to be effective with
the February 3, 2016 drawing.
30.7 Guaranteed Powerball Prizes.
30.7(a) The Product Group may offer guaranteed minimum Grand Prize amounts or
minimum increases in the Grand Prize amount between Drawings or make other changes in the
allocation of prize money where the Product Group finds that it would be in the best interest of the
game.
Amended June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016.
30.7(b) If a minimum Grand Prize amount or a minimum increase in the Grand Prize
amount between Drawings is offered by the Product Group, then the Grand Prize shares shall be
determined as follows:
30.7(b)(1) If there are multiple Grand Prize winners during a single Drawing, each
selecting the annuitized option prize, then a winner's share of the guaranteed annuitized
Grand Prize shall be determined by dividing the guaranteed annuitized Grand Prize by the
number of Grand Prize winning PB Plays;
Amended September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018 and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the
drawing on September 15, 2018
30.7(b)(2) If there are multiple Grand Prize winners during a single Drawing and
at least one (1) of the Grand Prize winners has elected the annuitized option prize, then the
MUSL Annuity Factor shall be utilized to determine the cash pool. The cost of the
annuitized prize(s) will be determined at the time the annuity is purchased through a
process as approved by the MUSL Board;
30.7(b)(3) If no winner of the Grand Prize during a single Drawing has elected the
annuitized option prize, then the amount of cash in the GPP shall be an amount equal to
the guaranteed annuitized amount divided by the MUSL Annuity Factor.
Amended June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
30.7(c) Minimum guaranteed prizes or increases may be waived if the alternate funding
mechanism set out in Rule 36.3(1)(c) becomes necessary. Approval of the Group is required to
change the guaranteed minimum Grand Prize amounts or minimum increases in the Grand Prize
amount. The Group may increase, decrease or eliminate the guaranteed minimum Grand Prize
amount of any announced minimum Grand Prize increases effective at any time following the next
drawing following the action taken by the Group.
Amended November 15, 2012; June 25, 2013 to be effective October 1, 2013; December 10, 2014; May
22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; October 22, 2015 to be effective with the
February 3, 2016 drawing; June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016; April 1,
2020 to be effective after the April 8, 2020 drawing.
Comments:
The SAP has a cap of $20 million dollars.
The Product Group has determined that the minimum Grand Prize shall be $40 million annuity and the
minimum increases in the Grand Prize shall be $10 million annuity between draws. Due to the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic and the numerous stay at home orders and business operation restrictions affecting
normal player consumer opportunities, fixing $40 million (annuity) minimum starting Grand Prize amounts
and maintaining $10 million (annuity) increases between drawings is unsustainable. On March 25, 2020,
the Product Group determined that effective following the next Grand Prize win, the minimum Grand Prize
shall be twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) annuity and the minimum increases in the Grand Prize shall
be two million dollars ($2,000,000) annuity between draws. On April 1, 2020, the Product Group
determined that, effective after the Drawing on April 8, 2020, any minimum starting Grand Prize and any
minimum increases in the Grand Prize between drawings shall be as determined and announced by the
Group Chair and Vice-Chair.
Comment last amended April 1, 2020 to be effective after the Drawing on April 8, 2020.
30.7(d) Funding of Guaranteed Grand Prizes. If the amount in the GPP, GPCFP and
SAP and contributions from Licensee Lotteries who are not participating in the PRA are
insufficient to fund the amount required by awarded Guaranteed Grand Prize(s), then the PRA,
and thereafter contributions from individual Member Lotteries and Licensee Lotteries participating
in the PRA, may be required to fund Guaranteed Grand Prize award deficiencies. Contributions
from the PRA shall first be utilized, and then contributions from individual Member Lotteries and
Licensee Lotteries participating in the PRA if necessary.
Contributions required from the PRA or from Member Lotteries and Licensee Lotteries
participating in the PRA shall be determined on a pro rata basis based on sales since the most
recent Grand Prize win.
Adopted January 6, 2022.
30.8 Limited to Highest Powerball Prize Won.
(a) The holder of a winning PB Play may win only one (1) prize per PB Play in connection
with the winning numbers drawn for the Powerball game, and shall be entitled only to the prize
won by those numbers in the highest matching prize category.
(b) The holder of a winning DP Play may win only one (1) prize per Play in connection
with the winning numbers drawn for the Double Play game, and shall be entitled only to the prize
won by those numbers in the highest matching prize category.
(c) A player may win both a PB prize and also a DP prize if the player purchased the DP
add-on option to the Powerball Play, and if the PB Play and the DP Play match the winning
numbers drawn for both the Powerball game and the Double Play game.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
(d) All liabilities for a Powerball prize, a Power Play prize, and a Double Play prize are
discharged upon payment of a prize claim.
Amended November 15, 2012; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October
7, 2015 drawing; June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016; September 12, 2017,
, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018; December 5,
2019 to be effective with the drawing on April 22, 2020.
30.9 Prize Claim Period. Prize claims shall be submitted within the period set by the
Selling Lottery selling the PB Play or DP Play. If no such claim period is established, all Grand
Prize claims and Double Play First Prize claims shall be made within one hundred eighty (180)
days after the Drawing date.
Amended November 15, 2012; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015
drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on
September 15, 2018.
30.10 Winner Disclosure. Subject to the laws and regulations of each Participating
Lottery jurisdiction, and at the discretion of the Director of each Participating Lottery where
disclosure is permitted, the name and community of the winner of a Powerball Grand Prize or
Match 5+0 prize will be disclosed in a press conference or in a press release of the Participating
Lottery.
Adopted September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on
September 15, 2018.
PB RULE 31PLAY VALIDATION FOR POWERBALL AND DOUBLE PLAY.
31.1 To be a valid Play and eligible to receive a prize, a Play’s ticket or ticketless
transaction shall satisfy all the requirements established by a Selling Lottery for validation of
winning Plays sold through its computer gaming system and any other validation requirements
adopted by the Product Group, the MUSL Board, and published as the Confidential MUSL
Minimum Game Security Standards. The MUSL and the Selling Lotteries shall not be responsible
for tickets or ticketless transactions that are altered in any manner.
Amended September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on
September 15, 2018; December 5, 2019 to be effective with the drawing on April 22, 2020.
31.2 Under no circumstances will a claim be paid for any prize without an official ticket
(or validly registered ticketless transaction) matching all game Play, serial number and other
validation data residing in the Selling Lottery’s computer gaming system and such ticket (or
validly registered ticketless transaction) shall be the only valid proof of the wager placed and the
only valid receipt for claiming or redeeming such prize.
Amended September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on
September 15, 2018.
31.3 In addition to the above, in order to be deemed a valid, winning Play, unless the Play
is a validly registered ticketless transaction, all of the following conditions must be met:
(a) The validation data must be present in its entirety and must correspond, using the
computer validation file, to the number selections printed on the ticket for the Drawing
date(s) printed on the ticket;
(b) The ticket must be intact;
(c) The ticket must not be mutilated, altered, reconstituted, or tampered with in any manner;
(d) The ticket must not be counterfeit or an exact duplicate of another winning ticket;
(e) The ticket must have been issued by an authorized sales agent, or retailer of the Selling
Lottery and printed on paper in compliance with MUSL Rule 2;
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
(f) The ticket must not have been stolen, to the knowledge of the Selling Lottery;
(g) The Play data must have been recorded on the Selling Lottery’s computer gaming
system prior to the Drawing and the Play data must match this computer record in every
respect. In the event of a conflict between information as printed on the ticket and as
accepted by the Selling Lottery’s computer gaming system, the wager accepted by the
Selling Lottery’s computer gaming system shall be the valid wager;
(h) The player or computer pick number selections, validation data and the Drawing date(s)
of an apparent winning Play must appear on the official file of winning Plays, and a Play
with that exact data must not have been previously paid;
(i) The play must not be mis-registered, and the Play’s ticket must not be defectively printed
or printed or produced in error to an extent that it cannot be processed by the Selling Lottery
that issued the Play;
(j) In submitting a Play for validation, the claimant agrees to abide by applicable laws, all
rules and regulations, instructions, conditions and final decisions of the Director of the
Selling Lottery that issued the Play;
(k) There must not be any other breach of these Powerball Game Rules in relation to the
Play that, in the opinion of the Director of the Selling Lottery that issued the Play, justifies
invalidation.
(l) The Play must be submitted to the Selling Lottery that issued it.
(m) Ticketless transaction Plays must meet the validation requirements of the Selling
Lottery that issued the Play.
Amended September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing
on September 15, 2018; June 16, 2022.
31.4 A Play submitted for validation that fails any of the validation conditions shall be
considered void, subject to the following determinations:
(a) In all cases of doubt, the determination of the Selling Lottery shall be final and binding;
however, the Selling Lottery may, at their option, replace an invalid Play with a Play of
equivalent sales price;
(b) In the event a defective ticket is purchased or in the event the Selling Lottery determines
to adjust an error, the Claimant’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the replacement of
such defective or erroneous ticket(s) with a Play of equivalent sales price;
(c) In the event a Play is not paid by a Selling Lottery and a dispute occurs as to whether
the Play is a winning Play, the Selling Lottery may, at its option, replace the Play as
provided in paragraph (i) of this subsection. This shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of
the Claimant unless the laws or regulations governing the Selling Lottery provide for
further administrative review.
Amended November 15, 2012; June 5, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015
drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on
September 15, 2018.
PB RULE 32TICKET RESPONSIBILITY.
32.1 Prize Claims. Prize claim procedures shall be governed by the rules of the selling
lottery. The MUSL and the Selling Lotteries shall not be responsible for prizes that are not claimed
following the proper procedures as determined by the selling lottery.
Amended November 20, 1998; December 21, 1998; October 5, 2004; November 15, 2012; June 25, 2013.
32.2 Reserved.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
32.3 Stolen Tickets. The Product Group, the MUSL and the Selling Lotteries shall not be
responsible for lost or stolen tickets.
32.4 Ticketless Transactions. A Ticketless Transaction Play is only valid when
registered with the lottery in accordance with lottery rules, these Rules and the MUSL Rules. The
person or, if permitted by the lottery rules, the persons registering the Play shall be the owner of
the Ticketless Transaction Play. A receipt for a Ticketless Transaction Play has no value and is not
evidence of a Play.
Amended June 16, 2022.
32.5 The MUSL and the Participating Lotteries shall not be responsible to a prize claimant
for Plays redeemed in error by a selling agent, sales agent or retailer.
32.6 Winners are determined by the numbers drawn and certified by the independent
auditor responsible for auditing the Powerball and Double Play Drawings. MUSL and the
Participating Lotteries are not responsible for winning numbers reported in error.
Adopted February 1, 2006. Amended June 25, 2013; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective
with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective
with the drawing on September 15, 2018; December 5, 2019 to be effective with the drawing on April 22,
2020.
PB RULE 33INELIGIBLE PLAYERS.
33.1 A Play or share for the Powerball game issued by any of its Selling Lotteries shall not
be purchased by, and a prize won by any such Play or share shall not be paid to:
(a) a MUSL employee, officer, or director;
(b) a contractor or consultant under agreement with the MUSL to review the MUSL audit
and security procedures;
(c) an employee of an independent accounting firm under contract with MUSL to observe
Drawings or site operations and actually assigned to the MUSL account and all partners,
shareholders, or owners in the local office of the firm; or
(d) an immediate family member (parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, spouse, or sibling)
of an individual described in subsections (a), (b), and (c) and residing in the same
household.
Amended September 30, 1996; November 15, 2012; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7,
2015drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the
drawing on September 15, 2018.
33.2 Those persons designated by a Selling Lottery's law as ineligible to play its games
shall also be ineligible to play the Powerball game in that Selling Lottery's jurisdiction.
Amended June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016.
PB RULE 34APPLICABLE LAW.
In purchasing a Play, or attempting to claim a prize, purchasers and prize claimants agree
to comply with and abide by all applicable laws, rules, regulations, procedures, and decisions of
the Selling Lottery where the Play was purchased, and by directives and determinations of the
director of that Selling Lottery.
A prize claimant agrees, as its sole and exclusive remedy that claims arising out of a Play
can only be pursued against the Selling Lottery which issued the Play. Litigation, if any, shall only
be maintained within the jurisdiction in which the Powerball Play was purchased and only against
the Selling Lottery that issued the Play. No claim shall be made against any other Participating
Lottery or against the MUSL
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
Nothing in these Rules shall be construed as a waiver of any defense or claim the Selling
Lottery which issued the Play, any other Participating Lottery or MUSL may have in any litigation,
including in the event a player or prize claimant pursues litigation against the Selling Lottery, any
other Participating Lottery or MUSL, or their respective officers, directors or employees.
All decisions made by a Selling Lottery, including the declaration of prizes and the
payment thereof and the interpretation of Powerball Rules, shall be final and binding on all Play
purchasers and on every person making a prize claim in respect thereof, but only in the jurisdiction
where the Powerball Play was issued.
Unless the laws, rules, regulations, procedures, and decisions of the Lottery which issued
the Play provide otherwise, no prize shall be paid upon a Play purchased, claimed or sold in
violation of these Rules or the laws, rules, regulations, procedures, and decisions of that Selling
Lottery; any such prize claimed but unpaid shall constitute an unclaimed prize under these Rules
and the laws, rules, regulations, procedures, and decisions of that Selling Lottery.
Amended May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; June 15, 2016 to be effective
with the drawing on October 19, 2016; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be
effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
PART III POWERBALL GAME
PB RULE 35POWERBALL GAME DESCRIPTION.
35.1 Powerball Game.
35.1(a) Powerball is a five (5) out of sixty-nine (69) plus one (1) out of twenty-six (26)
numbers lottery game drawn every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday as part of the Powerball
Drawing, which pays the Grand Prize, at the election of the player made in accordance with these
rules or by a default election made in accordance with these rules, either on an annuitized pari-
mutuel basis or as a single lump sum payment of the total funding held in the Grand Prize Pool
(GPP) for the winning Drawing on a pari-mutuel basis. Except as provided in these rules, all other
prizes are paid on a single payment basis.
Amended October 13, 2020 to include Monday drawings to be effective with the drawing on August
23, 2021.
35.1(b) Powerball Winning Numbers applicable to determine Powerball prizes will be
determined in the Powerball Drawing . During the Drawing, five (5) numbers shall be drawn from
the first set of sixty-nine (69) numbers, and one (1) number shall be drawn from the second set of
twenty-six (26) numbers, which shall constitute the Winning Numbers.
Double Play winning numbers shall not be used to determine Powerball prizes. Powerball
winning numbers shall not be used to determine Double Play prizes.
Amended December 5, 2019 to be effective with the drawing on April 22, 2020.
35.1(c) To play Powerball, a player shall select (or computer pick) five (5) different
numbers, from one (1) through sixty-nine (69) and one (1) additional number from one (1) through
twenty-six (26). The additional number may be the same as one of the first five numbers selected
by the player.
35.1(d) PB Plays can be purchased for two dollars (U.S. $2.00), including any specific
statutorily mandated tax of a Selling Lottery to be included in the price of a PB Play.
35.1(e) PB Plays may be purchased from a Selling Lottery approved sales outlet in a
manner as approved by the Selling Lottery and in accordance with MUSL Rules
Amended December 21, 1998, February 3, 2002; July 5, 2002; May 4, 2005; August 20, 2008; December
8-9, 2009; June 14, 2011 and effective for draws beginning January 18, 2012; November 15, 2012; June
25, 2013; June 5, 2014; December 10, 2014; December 30, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the
October 7, 2015 drawing; October 22, 2015 to be effective with the February 3, 2016 drawing; September
12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
PB RULE 36POWERBALL PRIZE POOL
36.1 Powerball Prize Pool. The prize pool for all Powerball prize categories shall consist
of fifty percent (50%) of each Drawing period's Powerball sales, inclusive of any specific
statutorily mandated tax of a Selling Lottery to be included in the price of a PB Play, and including
contributions to the prize pool accounts and prize reserve accounts; prize pool contribution
requirements shall be based on the sales price for Plays as established by the Group, not on the
amount collected by the Selling Lottery after deducting for statutorily mandated taxes.
Amended August 20, 2008; December 8-9, 2009; November 15, 2012; June 25, 2013; December 10, 2014;
December 30, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 23, 2015
to be effective with the February 3, 2016 drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018
to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018; September 24, 2018 to be effective with the drawing
on March 30, 2019.
36.2(a) Powerball Prize Pool Accounts and Prize Reserve Accounts. The Product
Group shall set the contribution rates to the prize pool and to one or more prize reserve or pool
accounts established by this rule.
(i) The following prize reserve accounts for the Powerball game are hereby established:
(a) the Prize Reserve Account (PRA), which is used to guarantee the payment of
valid, but unanticipated, Grand Prize claims that may result from a system error or
other reason, or to fund Guaranteed Grand Prizes per Rule 30.7(d); and
(b) the Set Prize Reserve Account (SPRA), which is used to fund deficiencies in
low-tier Powerball prize payments (subject to the limitations of these rules).
Amended January 6, 2022
(ii) The following prize pool accounts for the Powerball game are hereby established:
(a) the GPP, which is used to fund the current Grand Prize;
(b) the Set Prize Pool (SPP), which is used to fund the Set Prizes. The SPP shall
hold the temporary balances that may result from having fewer than expected
winners in the Set Prize (aka low-tier prize) categories. The source of the SPP
is the Party Lottery’s weekly prize contributions less actual Set Prize liability;
(c) the Set-Aside Pool (SAP), which is used to fund the payment of the awarded
minimum starting annuity Grand Prizes and minimum annuity Grand Prize
increase, if necessary (subject to the limitations in these rules), as may be set by
the Product Group; and
(d) the Grand Prize Carry Forward Pool (GPCFP), which is used to fund the starting
minimum annuity Grand Prize, as may be set by the Product Group, if such
funds are available, and if sales do not fund the Grand Prize.
(iii) The above prize reserve accounts, the GPCFP and the SAP shall have maximum
balance amounts or balance limiter triggers that are set by the Product Group and are detailed in
the Comments to this Rule.
The maximum balance amounts and balance limit triggers are subject to review by the
MUSL Board Finance and Audit Committee. The Finance and Audit Committee shall have two
weeks to state objections, if any, to the approved maximum balance amounts or balance limiter
triggers. Approved maximum balance amounts or balance limiter triggers shall become effective
no sooner than two weeks after notice is given to the Finance and Audit Committee and no
objection is stated or sooner if the Committee affirmatively approves the maximum balance
amounts or balance limiter triggers. The Group may appeal the Committees objections to the full
Board. Group approved changes in the maximum balance amounts or balance limiter triggers set
by the Product Group shall be effective only after the next Grand Prize win.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
(iv) The maximum contribution rate to the GPP shall be 68.0131% of the prize pool
(34.0066% of sales) except as provided in Rule 30.7(d).
Amended January 6, 2022.
An amount up to five percent (5%) of a Party Lottery’s sales shall be deducted from a Party
Lottery’s GPP contribution and placed in trust in one or more prize pool accounts and prize reserve
accounts held by the Product Group (hereinafter the “prize pool and reserve deduction”) at any
time that the prize pool accounts and Party Lottery’s share of the prize reserve accounts(s) is below
the amounts designated by the Product Group.
An additional amount up to twenty percent (20%) of a Party Lottery’s sales shall be
deducted from a Party Lottery’s GPP contribution and placed in trust in the GPCFP to be held by
the Product Group at a time as determined by the Product Group.
Amended June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016.
(v) The Product Group may determine to expend all or a portion of the funds in the
Powerball prize pool accounts (except the GPP account and the GPCFP) and the prize reserve
accounts:
(1) for the purpose of indemnifying the Party Lotteries and Licensee Lotteries in
the payment of prizes to be made by the Selling Lotteries; and
(2) for the payment of prizes or special prizes in the game, limited to prize pool and
prize reserve contributions from lotteries participating in the special prize
promotion, subject to the approval of the Board’s Finance & Audit Committee or
that Committee’s failure to object after given two weeks’ notice of the planned
action, which actions may be appealed to the full Board by the Product Group.
The GPCFP may only be expended to fund the starting minimum annuity Grand Prize.
(vi) The prize reserve shares of a Party Lottery may be adjusted with refunds to the Party
Lottery from the prize reserve account(s) as may be needed to maintain the approved maximum
balance and sales percentage shares of the Party Lotteries.
Amended June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016.
(vii) A Party Lottery may contribute to its sales percentage share of prize reserve accounts
over time, but in the event of a draw down from a prize reserve account, a Party Lottery is
responsible for its full sales percentage share of the prize reserve account, whether or not it has
been paid in full.
Amended June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016.
(viii) Any amount remaining in the Powerball prize pool accounts or prize reserve accounts
when the Product Group declares the end of the game shall be returned to the lotteries participating
in the accounts after the end of all claim periods of all Selling Lotteries, carried forward to a
replacement game, or otherwise expended in a manner at the election of the individual Members
of the Product Group in accordance with jurisdiction statute.
Amended December 12, 2001; August 1, 2003; August 20, 2008; December 8-9, 2009; November 15,
2012; May 13, 2013 to be effective October 1, 2013; June 25, 2013; June 5, 2014; December 10, 2014;
December 30, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 23, 2015
and October 22, 2015 to be effective with the February 3, 2016 drawing.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
Comment. The SPRA and the SPP, to the extent they exist, may be used to fund a deficiency in
Power Play multiplier prizes; but monies from the GPP may not be used to fund or increase a Power Play
prize. As permitted by Rule 30.5 and as required by Rule 28.2(a)(iii), on October 25, 2011, the Powerball
Product Group set the maximum SAP balance amount at $20 million and the maximum SPRA balance
amount at $40 million. As required by Rule 28.2(a)(iii), on November 15, 2012, the Product Group set the
maximum PRA balance amount at $80 million.
On May 13, 2013, the Group determined that, effective October 1, 2013, the prize pool and reserve
deduction is set to begin at two percent (2%) when the annuity Grand Prize, as determined after sales are
known, exceeds one hundred twenty million ($120,000,000.00), and four percent (4%) when the annuity
Grand Prize, as determined after sales are known exceeds two hundred fifty million dollars
($250,000,000.00). Any amount of the prize pool and reserve deduction shall first be used to fund the SAP
until it reaches its maximum established balance amount, and then shall be used to fund the prize reserve
accounts until they reach their individual maximum established balance amounts. Any amount of the prize
pool and reserve deduction not used to fund the SAP or prize reserve accounts shall become part of the
GPP.
As required by Rule 28.2(a)(iii), on September 23, 2015, as modified by Group action on January
27, 2016, and on June 15, 2016, the Group established a balance limit trigger for the GPCFP as follows:
Effective with the Drawing on July 2 2016, at any time that the GPCFP is below forty-five million dollars
($45,000,000) prior to a Drawing, the GPCFP deduction from a Party Lotterys GPP contribution for that
drawing shall be equal to a maximum of four percent (4%) of a Party Lottery’s sales when the annuity
Grand Prize, as determined after sales are known, exceeds one hundred twenty million dollars
($120,000,000.00); the GPCFP percentage shall be reduced by the percentage of sales being actually
contributed to the SAP, SPRA or the PRA. At any time that the GPCFP exceeds forty-five million dollars
($45,000,000) prior to a Drawing, there shall be no GPCFP deduction for that Drawing. On June 15, 2016
the Group agreed to continue contributions to the GPCFP after August 2, 2017.
Approval of the Group is required to change the prize pool and prize reserve deduction
percentages, maximum balances and balance limit trigger levels.
Comment last modified June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on July 2, 2016; September
12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018.
36.2(b) Licensee Lotteries. Licensee Lotteries shall adhere to PB Rule 36.2(a) unless a
different process is approved by the Product Group.
Adopted December 8-9, 2009.
Comment. At its meeting on December 8-9, 2009, and under the terms of the Cross-Selling
Agreement, the Product Group agreed to exclude the Licensed Lotteries from contributing to the prize pool
accounts (other than the GPP) and prize reserve accounts with the agreement of the Licensed Lotteries to
be responsible for the payment of their shares of all prizes won.
Comment last modified October 22, 2015 to be effective with the February 3, 2016 drawing.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
36.3 Expected Powerball Prize Payout Percentages.
(1) The Grand Prize payout shall be determined on a pari-mutuel basis. Except as
otherwise mandated by jurisdiction statute or judicial requirements, or provided for in these rules,
all other prizes awarded shall be paid as set single payment prizes. All prize payouts are made
with the following expected prize payout percentages, although the prize payout percentage per
draw may vary:
PB Prize Pool Percentage PB Sales Percentage
Number of Matches Per PB Play Prize Payment Allocated to Prize Allocated to Prize
All five (5) of first set plus one (1) of second set. Grand Prize 68.0131%* 34.0066%
All five (5) of first set and none of second set. $1,000,000 8.5558% 4.2779%
Any four (4) of first set plus one (1) of second set. $50,000 5.4757% 2.7378%
Any four (4) of first set and none of second set. $100 0.2738% 0.1369%
Any three (3) of first set plus one (1) of second set. $100 0.6899% 0.3450%
Any three (3) of first set and none of second set. $7 1.2074% 0.6037%
Any two (2) of first set plus one (1) of second set. $7 0.9981% 0.4990%
Any one (1) of first set plus one (1) of second set. $4 4.3489% 2.1744%
None of first set plus one (1) of second set. $4 10.4373% 5.2187%
* The maximum contribution rate may include contributions to reserves and pools as described in these
rules.
Amended June 14, 2011 and July 24, 2011 and effective for draws beginning January 18, 2012; November
15, 2012, June 25, 2013 to be effective October 1, 2013; June 5, 2014; December 10, 2014; December 30,
2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 23, 2015 to be effective
with the February 3, 2016 drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective
with the drawing on September 15, 2018
Comment: Due to jurisdictional law requirements, on November 15, 2012, the Powerball Group
concluded that the California Lottery shall separately determine the low-tier cash prize values for that
jurisdiction and that it shall not participate in the Power Play multiplier.
Comment last modified December 10, 2014.
(a) The prize money allocated to the Grand Prize category shall be divided on a pari-
mutuel basis by the number of PB Plays winning the Grand Prize.
Amended June 25, 2013 effective October 1, 2013; December 10, 2014; September 12, 2017 and January
4, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018
(b) Powerball Set Prize Pool Carried Forward. For Party Lotteries, the Powerball SPP
(for single payment prizes of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) or less) shall be carried forward
to subsequent draws if all or a portion of it is not needed to pay the Powerball Set Prizes awarded
in the current draw.
Amended June 25, 2013; June 5, 2014; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October
7, 2015 drawing; October 22, 2015 to be effective with the February 3, 2016 drawing.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
(c) Pari-Mutuel Powerball Prize Determinations. Except as provided for in
36.3(1)(c)(1)(c), for Party Lotteries:
Amended December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing.
(1)(a) If the total of the Powerball Set Prizes (as multiplied by the respective Power
Play multiplier if applicable) awarded in a Drawing exceeds the percentage of the prize pool
allocated to the Powerball Set Prizes, then the amount needed to fund the Powerball Set Prizes,
including Power Play prizes, awarded shall be drawn from the following sources, in the following
order:
(i) the amount available in the SPP and the Power Play Prize Pool, if any;
(ii) an amount from the SPRA, if available, not to exceed forty million
dollars ($40,000,000.00) per Drawing; and
(iii) other amounts as agreed to by the Product Group in its sole discretion.
Amended June 25, 2013 effective October 1, 2013; December 10, 2014; December 30, 2014; May 22,
2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on
October 19, 2016.
(1)(b) If, after these sources are depleted, there are not sufficient funds to pay the
Set Prizes awarded, including Power Play prizes, then the highest Set Prize shall become a pari-
mutuel prize. If the amount of the highest Set Prize, when paid on a pari-mutuel basis, drops to or
below the next highest Set Prize and there are still not sufficient funds to pay the remaining Set
Prizes awarded, then the next highest Set Prize, including Power Play prizes, shall become a pari-
mutuel prize. This procedure shall continue down through all Set Prize levels, if necessary, until
all Set Prize levels become pari-mutuel prize levels; In that circumstance, the money available
from the funding sources listed in this rule shall be divided among the winning PB Plays in
proportion to their respective prize percentages. Powerball Set Prizes and Power Play prizes will
be reduced by the same percentage.
Amended January 13, 1998; May 4, 2005; December 8-9, 2009; June 14, 2011 and October 25, 2011 to
be effective for draws beginning January 18, 2012; November 15, 2012; June 25, 2013 effective October
1, 2013; June 5, 2014; December 10, 2014; December 30, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the
October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the
drawing on September 15, 2018.
(1)(c) By agreement with the Licensee Lotteries, the Licensee Lotteries shall
independently calculate their Set Prize pari-mutuel prize amounts. The Party Lotteries and the
Licensee Lotteries shall then agree to set the pari-mutuel prize amounts for all lotteries selling the
game at the lesser of the independently calculated prize amounts.
Amended June 25, 2013 effective October 1, 2013; December 10, 2014.
Comment. The California Lottery is excluded from the Party Lotteries and other Licensee
Lotteries pari-mutuel prize calculations.
(2) Licensee Lotteries. Licensee Lotteries shall adhere to PB Rule36.3(1)(c)(1)(a)
and (b) unless a different process is approved by the Product Group.
Adopted December 8-9, 2009. Amended June 25, 2013 to be effective October 1, 2013; December 10,
2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing.
Comment. The California Lottery is excluded from the Party Lotteries and other Licensee
Lotteries pari-mutuel prize calculations. At its meeting on December 8-9, 2009, and under the terms of
the Cross-Selling Agreement, the Product Group agreed to exclude the Licensed Lotteries from contributing
to the prize pool accounts (other than the GPP) and prize reserve accounts with the agreement of the
Licensed Lotteries to be responsible for the payment of their shares of all prizes won subject to the
agreement noted in 28.3(1)(c)(1)(c).
Comment last modified October 22, 2015 to be effective with the February 3, 2016 drawing.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
PB RULE 37 PROBABILITY OF WINNING POWERBALL PRIZES. The following table
sets forth the probability of winning and the probable distribution of winners in and among each
prize category, based upon the total number of possible combinations in Powerball. The Set Prize
Amount shall be the prizes set for all Selling Lotteries unless prohibited or limited by a
jurisdiction’s statute or judicial requirements.
Probability Distribution Probable/Set
Number of Matches Per PB Play Winners Probability Prize Amount
All five (5) of first set plus
one (1) of second set 1 1:292,201,338.0000 Grand Prize
All five (5) of first set
and none of second set 25 1:11,688,053.5200 $1,000,000
Any four (4) of first set plus
one (1) of second set 320 1:913,129.1813 $50,000
Any four (4) of first set
and none of second set 8,000 1:36,525.1673 $100
Any three (3) of first set plus
one (1) of second set 20,160 1:14,494.1140 $100
Any three (3) of first set
and none of second set 504,000 1:579.7646 $7
Any two (2) of first set plus
one (1) of second set 416,640 1:701.3281 $7
Any one (1) of first set plus
one (1) of second set 3,176,880 1:91.9775 $4
None of first set plus
one (1) of second set 7,624,512 1:38.3239 $4
Overall 11,750,538 1:24.8671
Amended July 5, 2001; May 4, 2005; December 8-9, 2009; June 14, 2011 and effective for draws
beginning January 18, 2012; November 15, 2012; June 5, 2014; December 10, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be
effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be
effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018.
Comment: Due to jurisdictional law requirements, on November 15, 2012, the Powerball Group
concluded that the California Lottery shall separately determine the low-tier cash prize values for that
jurisdiction.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
PART III POWERBALL POWER PLAY
®
PROMOTION.
Adopted January 26, 2001.
APPLICABILITY OF THESE RULES: The Part III Power Play
®
Promotion Rules are
applicable to all Selling Lotteries, except as may be controlled by a Selling Lottery’s governing
jurisdiction statute. The Product Group shall reach an agreement with such lotteries that will
permit the operation of the promotion in a manner consistent with statute.
Adopted December 8-9, 2009; Amended November 15, 2012; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the
October 7, 2015 drawing.
Comment: Due to its jurisdictional law requirements, the California Lottery will not offer the Power Play
promotion.
PB RULE A PROMOTION DESCRIPTION.
The Powerball Power Play® promotion is a limited extension of the Powerball game and is
conducted in accordance with the Powerball game rules and other lottery rules applicable to the
Powerball game, except as may be amended herein. The promotion will begin at a time announced
by the Selling Lottery and will continue until discontinued by the lottery. The promotion will offer
to the owners of a qualifying Play a chance to increase the amount of any of the eight (8) lowest
Set Prizes (the prizes normally paying four dollars ($4.00) to one million dollars ($1,000,000.00))
won in a Drawing held during the promotion. The Grand Prize is not a Set Prize and will not be
increased.
Participating Lotteries may require purchase of the Power Play promotion when a player purchases
a Powerball Play.
Power Play is not applicable to the Powerball Double Play Promotion described in Part V of these
Rules.
Amended July 5, 2002; May 4, 2005; August 25, 2010; June 24, 2011 and effective for draws beginning
January 18, 2012; November 15, 2012; June 5, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7,
2015 drawing; September 12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing
on September 15, 2018; December 5, 2019 to be effective with the drawing on April 22, 2020; February 4,
2021.
PB RULE B QUALIFYING PLAY.
A qualifying Play is any single Powerball Play for which the player pays an extra dollar for the
Power Play option and that is recorded at the Selling Lottery’s computer gaming system as a
qualifying Power Play Play.
Amended November 15, 2012; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September
12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
PB RULE C PRIZES TO BE INCREASED.
Except as provided in these rules, a qualifying Play which wins one of seven lowest Set Prizes
(excluding the Match 5+0 prize) will be multiplied by the number selected, either two, three, four,
five or sometimes ten (2, 3, 4, 5 or sometimes10), in a separate random Power Play Drawing
announced during the official Powerball Drawing show. The ten (10X) multiplier will be available
for drawings in which the initially advertised annuitized Grand Prize amount is one hundred fifty
million dollars ($150,000,000.00) or less. The announced Match 5+0 prize, for players selecting
the Power Play option, shall be two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) unless a higher limited
promotional dollar amount is announced by the Group.
Amended July 5, 2002; August 20, 2008; August 25, 2010; June 24, 2011 and effective for draws beginning
January 18, 2012; November 15, 2012; June 25, 2013 to be effective for the drawing on January 22, 2014;
June 5, 2014; May 22, 2015 and June 25, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September
12, 2017, January 4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018.
PB RULE D POWER PLAY DRAWS.
MUSL will conduct a separate random Power Play
®
Drawing and announce results during each of
the regular Powerball Drawings held during the promotion. During each Power Play Drawing a
single number (2, 3, 4, 5 and sometimes 10) shall be drawn. The ten (10X) multiplier shall be
available for all Drawings in which the initially Advertised Grand Prize amount is one hundred
fifty million dollars ($150,000,000.00) or less. The probability of the possible Power Play
numbers being drawn is indicated in Rule F. The Powerball Group may modify the multiplier
features for special promotions from time to time.
Amended June 25, 2013 to be effective for the drawing on January 22, 2014; June 5, 2014; May 22, 2015
and June 25, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; October 22, 2015.
PB RULE E PRIZE POOL.
E(1) Power Play Prize Pool.
(a) The Power Play Prize Pool (PPP) is hereby created, which is used to fund Power Play
prizes. The PPP shall hold the temporary balances that may result from having fewer than expected
winners in the Power Play. The source of the PPP is the Party Lottery’s weekly prize contributions
less actual Power Play Prize liability.
(b)In total, fifty percent (50%) of each draw’s sales shall be collected for the payment of
prizes; prize pool contribution requirements shall be based on the sales price for Plays as
established by the Group, not on the amount collected by the Selling Lottery after deducting for
statutorily mandated taxes:
(1) In Drawings where the ten (10X) multiplier is available, the expected payout
for all prize categories shall consist of up to forty-nine and nine hundred sixty-nine
thousandths percent (49.969%) of each Drawing period's sales, including any specific
statutorily mandated tax of a Selling Lottery to be included in the price of a lottery ticket.
In Drawings where the ten (10X) multiplier is not available, the expected payout for all
prize categories shall consist of up to forty-five and nine hundred thirty-four thousandths
percent (45.934%) of each Drawing period's sales, including any specific statutorily
mandated tax of a Selling Lottery to be included in the price of a lottery ticket.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
(2) In Drawings where the ten (10X) multiplier is available, an additional thirty-
one thousandths percent (0.031%) of each Drawing period's sales, including any specific
statutorily mandated tax of a Selling Lottery to be included in the price of a lottery ticket,
may be collected and placed in trust in the PPP, for the purpose of paying Power Play
prizes. In Drawings where the ten (10X) multiplier is not available, an additional four and
sixty-six thousandths percent (4.066%) of each Drawing period's sales, including any
specific statutorily mandated tax of a Selling Lottery to be included in the price of a lottery
ticket, may be collected and placed in trust in the PPP, for the purpose of paying Power
Play prizes.
(c) The prize payout percentage per draw may vary. The PPP shall be carried forward to
subsequent draws if all or a portion of it is not needed to pay the Power Play prizes awarded in the
current draw and held in the PPP.
Amended May 4, 2005; August 20, 2008; December 8-9, 2009; June 24, 2011 effective for draws
beginning January 18, 2012; November 15, 2012; June 25, 2013 to be effective with the drawing on January
22, 2014; May 22, 2015 and June 25, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; September
23, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing
on October 19, 2016; September 24, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on March 30, 2019.
E(2) Licensee Lotteries. Licensee Lotteries shall adhere to PB Rule E(1) unless a different
process is approved by the Product Group.
Adopted December 8-9, 2009. Amended May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing.
Comment. At its meeting on December 8-9, 2009, and under the terms of the Cross-Selling
Agreement, the Product Group agreed to exclude the Licensee Lotteries involved in the cross-selling
initiative of Powerball and Mega Millions from PB Rule E(2) and such lotteries shall be responsible for
the payment of all prizes won in those jurisdictions.
E(3) End of Promotion.
Any amount remaining in the PPP when the Product Group declares the end of this
Promotion shall be returned to the lotteries participating in the account after the end of all claim
periods of all Selling Lotteries, carried forward to a replacement game or Promotion, or otherwise
expended in a manner at the election of the individual Participating Lotteries of the Product Group
in accordance with jurisdiction statute.
Amended June 24, 2011 effective for draws beginning January 18, 2012; November 15, 2012; June 25,
2013 to be effective for the drawing on January 22, 2014; June 5, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with
the October 7, 2015 drawing; June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
E(4) Expected Prize Payout.
Prize Amount Regardless of Power Play number selected:
Match 5+0 $1,000,000.00 $2,000,000.00 $2,000,000.00 $2,000,000.00 $2,000,000.00 $2,000,000.00
Set Prize Amount 10X 5X 4X 3X 2X
Match 4+1 $50,000.00 $500,000.00 $250,000.00 $200,000.00 $150,000.00 $100,000.00
Match 4+0 $ 100.00 $1,000.00 $500.00 $400.00 $300.00 $200.00
Match 3+1 $ 100.00 $1,000.00 $500.00 $400.00 $300.00 $200.00
Match 3+0 $ 7.00 $70.00 $35.00 $28.00 $21.00 $14.00
Match 2+1 $ 7.00 $70.00 $35.00 $28.00 $21.00 $14.00
Match 1+1 $ 4.00 $40.00 $20.00 $16.00 $12.00 $8.00
Match 0+1 $ 4.00 $40.00 $20.00 $16.00 $12.00 $8.00
In certain rare instances, the Powerball set prize amount may be less than the amount shown. In
such case, the eight (8) lowest Power Play prizes will be changed to an amount announced after
the draw. For example, if the Match 4+1 Powerball set prize amount of $50,000.00 becomes
$25,000.00 under the rules of the Powerball game and a 5x Power Play multiplier is selected, then
a Power Play player winning that prize amount would win $125,000.00.
Amended July 5, 2002, May 4, 2005; August 20, 2008; August 25, 2010; June 24, 2011 and effective for
draws beginning draw January 18, 2012; November 15, 2012; June 25, 2013 to be effective with the
drawing on January 22, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
PB RULE F PROBABILITY OF WINNING.
The following table sets forth the probability of the various Power Play numbers being drawn
during a single Powerball drawing, except that the Power Play amount for the Match 5+0 prize
will be two million dollars ($2,000,000). The Group may elect to run limited promotions that may
modify the multiplier features.
When the 10X multiplier is available:
Power Play Probability of Prize Increase Chance of
Occurrence
10X - Prize Won Times 10 1 in 43 2.3255%
5X - Prize Won Times 5 2 in 43 4.6512%
4X - Prize Won Times 4 3 in 43 6.9767%
3X - Prize Won Times 3 13 in 43 30.2326%
2X - Prize Won Times 2 24 in 43 55.8140%
When the 10X multiplier is not available:
Power Play Probability of Prize Increase Chance of
Occurrence
5X - Prize Won Times 5 2 in 42 4.7619%
4X - Prize Won Times 4 3 in 42 7.1429%
3X - Prize Won Times 3 13 in 42 30.9523%
2X - Prize Won Times 2 24 in 42 57.1429%
Power Play does not apply to the Grand Prize. Except as provided in Rule E(4), a Power Play
Match 5 prize is set at two million dollars ($2 million), regardless of the multiplier selected.
Amended June 25, 2013 to be effective with the drawing on January 22, 2014; June 5, 2014; May 22, 2015
and June 25, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing.
PB RULE G LIMITATIONS ON PAYMENT OF POWER PLAY PRIZES.
G(1) Prize Pool Carried Forward. For Party Lotteries, the prize pool percentage
allocated to the Power Play set prizes shall be carried forward to subsequent draws if all or a
portion of it is not needed to pay the set prizes awarded in the current draw.
Amended December 8-9, 2009; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing.
G(2)(a) Pari-Mutuel PrizesAll Prize Amounts. Except as provided for in in G(2)(c),
for Party Lotteries:
G(2)(a)(1) If the total of the original Powerball set prizes and the Power Play prizes
awarded in a Drawing exceeds the percentage of the prize pools allocated to the set prizes,
then the amount needed to fund the set prizes (including the Power Play prize amounts)
awarded shall be drawn from the following sources, in the following order:
(i) the amount available in the SPP and the PPP, if any;
(ii) an amount from the Powerball SPRA, if available in the account, not to exceed
forty million dollars ($40,000,000.00) per Drawing; and
(iii) other amounts as agreed to by the Product Group in their sole discretion.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
G(2)(a)(2) If, after these sources are depleted, there are not sufficient funds to pay
the set prizes awarded (including Power Play prize amounts), then the highest set prize
(including the Power Play prize amounts) shall become a pari-mutuel prize. If the amount
of the highest set prize, when paid on a pari-mutuel basis, drops to or below the next highest
set prize and there are still not sufficient funds to pay the remaining set prizes awarded,
then the next highest set prize, including the Power Play prize amount, shall become a pari-
mutuel prize. This procedure shall continue down through all set prizes levels, if necessary,
until all set prize levels become pari-mutuel prize levels. In that instance, the money
available from the funding sources listed in this rule shall be divided among the winning
Plays in proportion to their respective prize percentages. Powerball and Power Play prizes
will be reduced by the same percentage.
Amended August 20, 2008; December 8-9, 2009; August 25, 2010; June 12, 2012; November 15, 2012;
June 25, 2013 to be effective October 1, 2013; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015
drawing; June 15, 2016 to be effective with the drawing on October 19, 2016; September 12, 2017, January
4, 2018, and April 5, 2018 to be effective with the drawing on September 15, 2018.
Comment. By action on January 7, 2009, the Product Group agreed to combine the Powerball and
Power Play prize pools in the rare instance when the set prizes, pursuant to the rules, are paid on a pari-
mutuel basis, so that the Power Play prize amounts, as provided for in the rules, will remain in effect for
all prize levels. Comment amended May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing; October
22, 2015 to be effective with the February 3, 2016 drawing.
G(2)(b) Licensee Lotteries. Licensee Lotteries shall adhere to PB Rule G(2)(a)
unless a different process is approved by the Product Group.
Adopted December 8-9, 2009; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing.
Comment. At its meeting on December 8-9, 2009, and under the terms of the Cross-Selling
Agreement, the Product Group agreed to exclude the Licensed Lotteries involved in the cross-
selling initiative of Powerball and Mega Millions from PB Rule G(2)(a) and such lotteries shall
be responsible for the payment of all prizes won in those jurisdictions.
G(2)(c) By agreement with the Licensee Lotteries, the Licensee Lotteries shall
independently calculate their set pari-mutuel prize amounts, including the Power Play prize
amounts. The Party Lotteries and the Licensee Lotteries shall then agree to set the pari-mutuel
prize amounts for all lotteries selling the Powerball game at the lesser of the independently-
calculated prize amounts.
Amended June 25, 2013 to be effective October 1, 2013; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7,
2015 drawing.
Comment. The California Lottery is excluded from the Party Lotteries and other Licensee
Lotteries pari-mutuel prize calculations.
PB RULE H PRIZE PAYMENT
H(1) Prize Payments. All Power Play prizes shall be paid in one single payment through
the Selling Lottery that sold the winning ticket(s). A Selling Lottery may begin paying Power Play
prizes after receiving authorization to pay from the MUSL central office.
Amended May 22, 2015 to be effective with the October 7, 2015 drawing.
H(2) Prizes Rounded. Prizes that, under these rules, may become pari-mutuel prizes,
may be rounded down so that prizes can be paid in whole dollars. Breakage resulting from
rounding these prizes shall be carried forward to the prize pool for the next Drawing.
Amended August 25, 2010; November 15, 2012; June 5, 2014; May 22, 2015 to be effective with the
October 7, 2015 drawing.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
Part IV Repealed April 5, 2018.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
PART V POWERBALL DOUBLE PLAY PROMOTION
PB DP RULE 1 POWERBALL DOUBLE PLAY PROMOTION DESCRIPTION.
DP 1.1 Powerball DP Overview. The Powerball Double Play Promotion (“DP” or
“Promotion”) is an add-on to the Powerball game, and participation by a Lottery is optional.
Players must purchase an official Powerball ticket to participate in DP.
DP offers players a second chance to win a new set of prizes, using the same numbers the
player selected (manually or by computer pick) for their Powerball Play. The Double Play
Drawing is a separate drawing which takes place after the official Powerball Drawing, conducted
by and in accordance with the Product Group approved Draw Procedures.
Selling Lotteries may choose when to start, and end the Double Play Promotion.
DP is an additional add-on to the Powerball game, and does not replace or alter Power Play.
Power Play is not available with the Double Play Promotion. DP Prizes will not be multiplied or
increased by the Power Play Promotion.
DP is conducted in accordance with the Powerball Double Play Promotion Rules and
Selling Lottery rules. All rules applicable to the Powerball Game in Parts I and II of these rules
are applicable to the DP Promotion unless otherwise indicated.
Powerball prizes and Double Play prizes are determined separately; for example, a
Powerball player who chooses to participate in Double Play may win both a Double Play prize and
a Powerball Prize, if their Play numbers match the Powerball winning numbers and also the Double
Play winning numbers.
Participating Lotteries may require purchase of the Double Play promotion when a player
purchases a Powerball play.
Amended February 4, 2021.
DP 1.2 How DP Works. Double Play is a five (5) out of sixty-nine (69) plus one (1) out
of twenty-six (26) lottery game, drawn on the day(s), time(s) and location(s) as determined by the
Powerball Product Group, and which pays a single payment First Prize.
DP 1.3 DP Winning Numbers. Double Play winning numbers applicable to determine
Double Play prizes will be determined on the day(s), time(s) and location(s) as determined by the
Powerball Product Group. During the drawing event, five (5) numbers shall be drawn from the
first set of sixty-nine (69) numbers, and one (1) number shall be drawn from the second set of
twenty-six (26) numbers, which shall constitute the Double Play Winning Numbers.
Powerball winning numbers shall not be used to determine Double Play prizes. Double
Play winning numbers shall not be used to determine Powerball prizes.
DP 1.4 DP Requirements. To play Double Play, Players must purchase an official
Powerball ticket. For an additional one dollar ($1.00) players may purchase a Double Play at the
same time the Powerball ticket is purchased. Double Play Play numbers shall be the same as the
numbers the player selected (manually or computer pick) for their Powerball Play. The one dollar
($1.00) purchase price for Double Play shall include any specific statutorily-mandated tax of a
Selling Lottery to be included in the price of a lottery Play.
DP 1.5 - Purchases. Plays may be purchased from a Selling Lottery approved sales outlet
in a manner as approved by the Selling Lottery and in accordance with MUSL Rules.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
DP 1.6 - Tickets and Ticketless Transactions. Selling Lotteries may determine whether
the DP Plays are printed on the same ticket as a Powerball ticket, or on a separate ticket from the
Powerball ticket.
If a Selling Lottery determines that the DP Play may be on a separate ticket than the
Powerball ticket, under no circumstances will a claim be paid for a DP prize without having first
purchased an official Powerball ticket for the same drawing.
If the DP is on a separate ticket, then that ticket must match all of the game play, serial
number and other validation data residing in the Selling Lottery’s computer gaming system (CGS)
and such ticket shall be the only valid proof of the wager placed and the only valid receipt for
claiming or redeeming such prize.
If the DP Play is purchased as a ticketless transaction, the Selling Lottery’s electronic
record of purchase shall be the only valid proof of the wager placed and the only valid receipt for
claiming or redeeming such prize.
PB RULE DP 2 - PRIZE POOL.
DP RULE 2.1 - Double Play Prize Pool. The prize pool for all prize categories offered
by the Selling Lotteries shall consist of fifty-five percent (55%) of each drawing period's sales,
inclusive of any specific statutorily-mandated tax of a Selling Lottery to be included in the price
of a lottery PB Play, and inclusive of contributions to the prize pool accounts, but may be higher
or lower based upon the number of winners at each prize level. Prize pool contribution
requirements shall be based on the sales price for Plays as established by the Group, not on the
amount collected by the Selling Lottery after deducting for statutorily mandated taxes.
Amended January 7, 2021.
DP RULE 2.2 - Double Play Prize Pool Accounts. The Product Group shall set the
contribution rates to the prize pool accounts established by this rule.
(a) Reserved.
(b) The following prize pool accounts for the Double Play game are hereby established:
(i) The First Prize Pool (FPP), which is used to fund the First Prize and fund
deficiencies in the DPSPP. Any monies not used to pay a First Prize may be used
to fund deficiencies in the DPSPP as needed. Any funds not used to pay a First
Prize or fund deficiencies in the DPSPP shall accumulate in this pool until such
time as funds are needed to pay a First Prize or fund deficiencies in the DPSPP; and
(ii) The Double Play Set Prize Pool (DPSPP), which is used the fund the Double
Play Set or Lower Tier Prizes. The DPSPP shall hold the temporary balances that
may result from having fewer than expected winners in the Double Play Set Prize
categories. The Source of the DPSPP is the Selling Lotterys weekly prize
contributions less actual Double Play Set Prize liability.
Comment: The Double Play prize pools may not be used to pay Powerball prizes.
(c) Reserved.
(d) The contribution rate to the FPP from DP Plays shall be four and nine thousand eight
hundred and eighty-nine ten thousandths percent (4.9889%) of sales except as provided in Rule
DP 3(a).
Amended January 7, 2021; January 6, 2022.
(e) Reserved.
(f) The Product Group may determine to expend all or a portion of the funds in the DPSPP:
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
(i) for the purpose of indemnifying the Selling Lotteries in the payment of prizes to
be made by the Selling Lotteries; and
(ii) for the payment of prizes or special prizes in the game, limited to prize pool
contributions from lotteries participating in the special prize promotion.
(g) Reserved.
(h) Reserved.
(i) Reserved.
Amended January 7, 2021.
DP Rule 2.3 Licensee Lotteries. Licensee Lotteries shall adhere to DP Rule 2.2 unless a
different process is approved by the Product Group.
Comment. Licensee Lotteries shall contribute to and participate in the Double Play prize pool
accounts. Amended January 7, 2021.
PB RULE DP 3 - EXPECTED PRIZE PAYOUT PERCENTAGES. The First Prize payout
shall be determined on a pari-mutuel basis. All Double Play prizes shall be paid as single payment
prize. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, all prizes other than the First Prize are set prize
amounts. All prize payouts are made with the following expected prize payout percentages,
although the prize payout percentages per draw may vary:
DP Prize Pool Percentage DP Sales Percentage
Number of Matches Per PB Play Prize Payment Allocated to Prize Allocated to Prize
All five (5) of first set plus one (1) of second set. First Prize - $10,000,000 9.0707 % 4.9889%*
All five (5) of first set and none of second set. $500,000 7.7780 % 4.2779%
Any four (4) of first set plus one (1) of second set. $50,000 9.9558% 5.4757%
Any four (4) of first set and none of second set. $500 2.4889% 1.3689%
Any three (3) of first set plus one (1) of second set. $500 6.2721% 3.4497%
Any three (3) of first set and none of second set. $20 6.2721% 3.4497%
Any two (2) of first set plus one (1) of second set. $20 5.1850% 2.8517%
Any one (1) of first set plus one (1) of second set. $10 19.7677% 10.8722%
None of first set plus one (1) of second set. $7 33.2097 % 18.2653%
* The maximum contribution rate may include contributions to the Prize Pool Accounts as described in these rules.
Comment: Due to jurisdictional law requirements, on December 5, 2019, the Powerball Group
concluded that the California Lottery shall separately determine the low-tier cash prize values for that
jurisdiction if the California Lottery decides to offer Powerball Double Play.
(a) The First Prize amount shall be divided equally by the number of DP Plays winning the
First Prize. If no Plays match the DP winning numbers as described above, the DP First Prize will
not be awarded, and remains at ten million dollars ($10,000,000).
If the amount in the FPP is insufficient to fund awarded First Prize(s), contributions from
individual Participating Lotteries to fund the awarded First Prize deficiency shall be determined
on a pro rata basis based on sales since the most recent First Prize win.
Amended January 6, 2022.
(b) The DPSPP (for payment of single payment prizes of five hundred thousand dollars
($500,000.00) or less) shall be carried forward to subsequent draws if all or a portion of it is not
needed to pay the set prizes awarded in the current draw.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
(c) Pari-mutuel Prize Determinations Applicable to Participating Lotteries.
(c)(1) Except as may be otherwise provided:
(c)(1)(a) If the total of the Double Play Set Prizes awarded in a drawing exceeds the
percentage of the prize pool allocated to the Double Play Set Prizes, then the amount needed to
fund the Double Play Set Prizes awarded shall be drawn from the following sources, in the
following order:
(i) the amount available in the DPSPP if any;
(ii) an amount from the FPP, if available; and
(iii) other amounts as agreed to by the Product Group in its sole discretion.
(c)(1)(b) If, after these sources are depleted there are not sufficient funds to pay the Double
Play Set Prizes, then the highest Double Play Set Prize shall become a pari-mutuel prize. If the
amount of the highest Double Play Set Prize, when paid on a pari-mutuel basis, drops to or below
the next highest Double Play Set Prize and there are still not sufficient funds to pay the remaining
Double Play Set Prizes awarded, then the next highest Double Play Set Prize shall become a pari-
mutuel prize. This procedure shall continue down through all Double Play Set Prize levels, if
necessary, until all Double Play Set Prize levels become pari-mutuel prize levels; In that
circumstance, the money available from the funding sources listed in this Rule shall be divided
among the winning DP Plays in proportion to their respective prize percentages.
Comment. The California Lottery is excluded from the Participating Lotteries pari-mutuel prize
calculations.
(c)(2) Reserved.
(d) Subject to the laws and rules governing each Selling Lottery, the number of prize
categories and the allocation of the prize fund among the prize categories may be changed at the
discretion of the Product Group, for promotional purposes. Such change shall be announced by
Product Group.
Amended January 7, 2021.
MULTI-STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION POWERBALL GROUP RULES
Multi-State Lottery Association Powerball Rules Amended June 16, 2022; Comments last updated February 4, 2021.
PB RULE DP 4 PROBABILITY OF WINNING DOUBLE PLAY PRIZES. The following
table sets forth the probability of winning and the probable distribution of winners in and among
each prize category for Powerball DP Plays sold by Selling Lotteries, based upon the total number
of possible combinations in Powerball Double Play.
Probability Distribution Probable/Set
Number of Matches Per DP Play Winners Probability Prize Amount
All five (5) of first set plus
one (1) of second set 1 1:292,201,338 First Prize
All five (5) of first set
and none of second set 25 1:11,688,053.52 $500,000.00
Any four (4) of first set plus
one (1) of second set 320 1:913,129.1813 $50,000.00
Any four (4) of first set
and none of second set 8,000 1:36,525.1673 $500.00
Any three (3) of first set plus
one (1) of second set 20,160 1:14,494.1140 $500.00
Any three (3) of first set
and none of second set 504,000 1:579.7646 $20.00
Any two (2) of first set plus
one (1) of second set 416,640 1:701.3281 $20.00
Any one (1) of first set plus
one (1) of second set 3,176,880 1:91.9775 $10.00
None of first set plus
one (1) of second set 7,624,512 1:38.3239 $7.00
Overall 11,750,538 1:24.8671
Amended January 7, 2021.