New Zealand Powerball FAQs
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New Zealand Powerball
- FAQs
Take a look at the most frequently asked Powerball questions by lottery players in New Zealand, complete with comprehensive answers. Find out about the odds of the game, when Powerball has to be won, and much more. If your question isn't shown below, please contact us for assistance.
Wednesday December 27th 2023
It's a 32x Rollover!
Next US Powerball Jackpot
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$685 Million
When does the Powerball draw take place?
Powerball drawings are held every Wednesday at 8.20pm and every Saturday at 8pm.
What time do ticket sales close?
Ticket sales close at 7.30pm local time on the night of the draw.
How do I win playing Powerball?
To become a Powerball winner, you must match at least three main numbers drawn as well as the Powerball and matching six main numbers and the Powerball will win the jackpot. Even if you don't manage to match the Powerball number, you could still win in the main Lotto draw.
What is a Must Be Won draw?
Must Be Won draws take place when the Powerball jackpot has reached its $50 million limit and cannot increase any further. If there are no First Division winners in a Must Be Won draw, the entire prize fund for that division rolls down and is shared between players in the next winning division (likely the 2nd or 3rd Division).
Learn more on the Must Be Won Draws page.
Can I play if I do not live in New Zealand?
Yes, you can play New Zealand's Powerball lottery online. Find out more on the Tickets page.
If I win, how long do I have to claim a prize?
Powerball prizes (like all lottery prizes in New Zealand) must be claimed within 12 months of the draw date.
How old do I have to be to play Powerball?
There is no age limit to purchase tickets for New Zealand Lotto or Powerball, but to choose your numbers online from overseas, you must be 18 years or over.
Are winnings taxable?
There is no tax on Lotto winnings in New Zealand, but those who play online may be liable for taxes in their resident country and are advised to check with local experts.
Does the NZ Powerball have a minimum guaranteed jackpot?
The minimum jackpot is $4 million.
Is there a rollover limit or jackpot cap?
The maximum Powerball jackpot is $50 million - if the prize total reaches this amount a Must Be Won draw will be held. If no one matches all the numbers to win the jackpot in a Must Be Won draw, the prize money will be shared between winners in the next prize division.
There is also a Powerball rollover limit of 52 consecutive draws. At this point no more money can be added to the Division 1 prize pool. However, the jackpot cap is much more likely to be triggered first.
What is the biggest Powerball jackpot ever won in New Zealand?
The biggest Powerball jackpot ever offered was $50.2 million in February 2020. Two tickets - one sold online and one in Auckland - split this record prize to take home over $25 million each.
The largest jackpot to go to a single ticket was worth $44 million and was won by a couple from the Auckland area. Go to the Powerball Winners page to see a list of the ten biggest Powerball jackpots ever won.
When is the next draw?
The next Powerball draw is on Saturday 30 December.
What is the next Powerball jackpot?
The next Powerball jackpot is currently estimated at $12,000,000.
What are the odds of winning a Powerball prize?
The odds of winning a Division 7 prize are 1 in 352 for matching 3 main numbers plus the Powerball. The odds of winning the Division 1 prize are 1 in 38,383,800. Check the odds of winning in each prize tier on the Prizes page.
Where can I find the latest Powerball results?
The NZ Powerball results are available on the dedicated page. You can find information about winners, prizes, and the locations of any jackpot winning ticket sold.
