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ATTENTION TO POWERBALL PLAYERS: CHANGES TO POWERBALL STARTING JACKPOT

March 29, 2020

Following the next Powerball Grand Prize win, the Powerball jackpot will reset to $20 million with a minimum jackpot roll increase of $2 million between drawings.

CHICAGO - Nationwide changes to the Powerball game have been announced this week by the Multi-State Lottery Association, the group that operates Powerball.  These changes are meant to ensure the game continues to support good causes in all 48 U.S. lottery jurisdictions. 

“Just like other enterprises around the world are making adjustments, these proactive changes have been made in order to preserve the world’s premier lottery product,” said Gregory Mineo, Powerball Product Group Chairman and Maine Lottery Director.

Following the next major Powerball win, Powerball’s starting jackpot will reset to a guaranteed $20 million (annuity) with minimum roll increases of $2 million between drawings. All other elements of the Powerball game remain the same. Previously, Powerball jackpots reset to $40 million (annuity) with minimum roll increases of $10 million.

These changes will only affect the Powerball game at this time.  “While there are no immediate game changes planned for Mega Millions, the Mega Millions Consortium continues to hold internal discussions about potential changes to address the slowdown in sales during the current health crisis”, said Gordon Medenica, Mega Millions Consortium Lead Director and Maryland Lottery Director.   Illinois’ in-state draw games, Pick 3, Pick 4, Lucky Day Lotto and Lotto, will also remain unchanged.

The Powerball jackpot for the next draw on Wednesday, April 1 is an estimated $170 million. If the jackpot is not won on Wednesday, then the jackpot will grow to an estimated $180 million (annuity). Illinois Lottery players can pick up a ticket for this weekend’s Powerball draw online through the Illinois Lottery website or through the Illinois Lottery app.

Powerball tickets are $2 per play and are sold in 48 jurisdictions nationwide. Drawings are broadcast live every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m. CT. For more information about these game changes see:  https://www.powerball.com/notice.

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About the Illinois Lottery:

Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has contributed over $21 billion (since 1985) to the state’s Common School Fund to assist K-12 public schools, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars to the Capital Projects Fund and to special causes like homelessness prevention, Illinois Veterans services, the fight against breast cancer, MS research, Special Olympics, police memorials and assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to playing in-store, the Illinois Lottery offers online and mobile play for all draw-based Illinois Lottery games at illinoislottery.com. Players must be at least 18 years old.