More Information about the Powerball lottery:
US Powerball Lottery History
On Sept. 16, 1987, The Multi-State Lottery Association formed (a non-profit organization formed by an agreement with U.S. lotteries), with the only members being the District of Columbia, Iowa, Kansas, Oregon, Rhode Island, and West Virginia (with Missouri joining a month later. The rest of the states joined over time.
The first game was called Lotto America. It was a pick-7-of-40 game. Players who matched four numbers won a prize of $5. Those matching five numbers won a pari-mutuel prize, and matching all seven numbers won the jackpot.
Unlike the Powerball lottery that we know today, Lotto America only offered a 20-year annuity and no cash option.
In April 1992, Lotto America was renamed Powerball, with the first drawing held April 22, 1992. This new version was the first lotto game to use two drums to draw the winning lottery numbers. One drum is used for the white balls and one for the red Powerball which gives the US Powerball lottery its name.
The lottery draws themselves are all about suspense, glitz and glamour, but what we see on-screen is preceded by a lot of methodical preparation.
What happens behind the scenes, from the draw machines to the balls and the tight security procedures in place, ensures that each and every lottery draw is fair and random:
- Four lottery officials unlock a secure vault where draw machines and ball sets are stored.
- Two machines and two ball sets are chosen at random.
- 21:30 EST – draw equipment is transported into the lottery studio.
- Ball sets are loaded into the machines under tight security. Ball handlers wear gloves.
- Testing begins and monitored by Lottery officials and Multi-State Lottery HQ.
- 22:30 EST – testing completed, ready for the draw.
- Cameras start rolling and the US Powerball Lottery draw begins at 23:00 EST.
- The draw is supervised and verified by independent public accountants.
When to play the Powerball Lottery?
American Powerball lottery draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 22:59 (ET) in Florida, USA.
You can check if your lucky numbers matched the draw Powerball winning numbers on our Powerball results page. Immediately after the draw, the Powerball results will be updated.
If you’re the lucky Powerball winner, we will immediately send you an email notification if you’ve won over US $240 (€200).
Can I play the Powerball from overseas?
With the American Powerball lottery making worldwide headlines with record-breaking jackpots that soar into billions, it’s no wonder that everyone would like the chance to also buy Powerball lottery tickets online. The question on everyone’s lips is, can I play Powerball lottery from overseas?
Thanks to the internet it doesn’t matter where you live; it is possible for you to play Powerball online from anywhere in the world.
Remember, you have to be 18 years or older to buy a Powerball lottery ticket online.
Powerball Jackpot Rollovers
In the event that there is no Powerball ticket holder who has matched all the required Powerball winning numbers in the draw, the jackpot will or roll over to the next Powerball jackpot draw and increase in value.
Unlike other lotteries, the US Powerball does not have a rollover limit or a jackpot cap. As long as no one wins the American Powerball jackpot, the prize money will keep on getting bigger! This makes the US Powerball very attractive to both loyal players and to first-timers.
