Powerball Rules

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Powerball is simple to play but there are a number of rules that you need to keep in mind to ensure that you buy tickets on time and can claim prizes without any problems. Use this page to find out about all the guidelines and regulations you need to know to make sure that your playing experience runs as smoothly as possible. Powerball rules can vary between jurisdictions, so it is important that you also check with your state lottery before you start playing. Find out the key game rules and regulations below, from purchasing tickets to claiming prizes.

• To play Powerball, you must select five numbers from a pool between 1 and 69 and one Powerball between 1 and 26. The Powerball you select can be the same as one of the five main numbers. If you mark your playslip with more numbers than this, or you mark the ‘void’ box on your playslip, it will be deemed invalid and will not produce a ticket.
• The ticket produced by the retailer’s lottery terminal is your only proof of entry and the only valid instrument for claiming a prize. Playslips are not a valid form of entry and they do not have any monetary value.
• Tickets may not be canceled or returned to the retailer after they have been printed, unless a printing error has damaged them or rendered them invalid.
• It is your responsibility to ensure you are legally eligible to purchase lottery tickets and claim prizes in the relevant state. If you are under the minimum age to buy tickets, you will be ineligible to claim prizes.
• It is also your responsibility to check the accuracy of your entry. The selling lottery and its agents will not accept liability for any losses that occur due to errors you make when you fill out your playslip.
• Unless otherwise stated by the selling lottery, the maximum number of consecutive drawings you can enter on a single playslip is 52.
• You must elect to add Power Play at the point you purchase your Powerball ticket. You cannot apply Power Play to your ticket after it has been printed.
• You must enter the draw before the cut-off time for ticket sales, which may vary from state to state but will never be less than 59 minutes before the drawing is scheduled to take place.
• Employees of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and their immediate family members are ineligible to play Powerball or claim prizes.
• By purchasing a Powerball ticket, you agree to be bound by the terms of the selling lottery. Non-compliance with those terms may result in the forfeiture of prize money.

• You may win only one prize per line of Powerball numbers and only the maximum eligible prize will be paid out.
• You must present a valid winning ticket to be able to claim a prize. For an entry to be valid, the ticket must be intact and the data must correspond with the selling lottery’s computer records. The ticket cannot be tampered with, counterfeit or mutilated.
• You must claim prizes within the time period set out by the selling lottery where you purchased your ticket. Any prize money left unclaimed at this point will be redistributed at the discretion of each selling lottery.
• Depending on your own state’s rules, you may have to elect whether to receive a jackpot payout as an annuity or lump sum within 60 days of the draw date.
• If you die with some annuity payments outstanding, the balance of the money may be paid to your estate, subject to any applicable state or federal laws.
• Prizes may be paid by cash, check, warrant, or electronic transfer, at the discretion of the selling lottery that is awarding the prize.
• The prize claim period is determined by each selling lottery, or is a default of 180 days if not otherwise stated. You must claim prizes from the selling lottery that sold the winning ticket.