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The Power Play multiplier returns to Powerball

Jan 19, 2014, 11:14 am

Starting with the Wednesday, Jan. 22, Powerball draw, players of the popular multi-state lottery game will have the chance to multiply non-jackpot winning prizes up to five times with the return of the random Powerball Power Play multiplier.

Two years ago Powerball's Power Play feature was changed from a random multiplier to a set of fixed prize increases for winners of non-jackpot prizes who purchased the Power Play option for an extra $1 per play.

(See Powerball multi-state lottery to raise prices, jackpots, Lottery Post, Jan. 3, 2012.)

Now the state lotteries have decided to "go retro" on the Power Play option and revert to the random multplier of old.  The Power Play option will remain $1 but, rather than a fixed prize, players will now have a chance to win prizes multiplied 2, 3, 4 or 5 times.

But not every prize level will be a random increase.

Winning the Match 5 prize (all five white balls) with the Power Play option will pay $2 million, regardless of the multiplier number drawn.

"New and different ways to win will bring more excitement for our players," said Karen Bach, director of budget, products and communications for the Arizona Lottery. "We're expecting the return of the enhanced Power Play multiplier to be popular with our players, and we look forward to awarding even bigger prizes to Arizona Powerball winners in the coming months."

The return of the random multiplier is the only change in store for players on Jan. 22, although players are once again able to purchase long-term multi-draw tickets.  In the weeks leading up to the Power Play change, state lotteries could not sell multi-draw tickets beyond the drawing prior to the changeover.

New Powerball prize structure

Powerball is now played in 43 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Tickets cost $2 each.

A 44th Powerball state will be added later this year, as the state of Wyoming has approved a new state lottery with the intention of joining Powerball and other multi-state games. (See Wyoming officially becomes 44th state with a lottery, Lottery Post, Mar. 14, 2013.)

Powerball lottery results are published within minutes of the drawing at USA Mega (www.usamega.com). The USA Mega Web site provides lottery players in-depth information about the United States's two biggest multi-state lottery games, Mega Millions and Powerball.

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When are Powerball drawings held?

The Powerball winning lottery numbers are drawn each Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time (9:59 Central; 8:59 p.m. Mountain; 7:59 p.m. Pacific)

Where are Powerball drawings held?

Starting January 7, 2009, Powerball drawings are conducted at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.  Previously, the drawings were held at ITC Studios in West Des Moines, Iowa since the inception of the game.

When can tickets be purchased?

Powerball tickets can be purchased from authorized lottery retailers up until approximately 10:45 p.m. Eastern Time the day of the drawing.  The exact purchase cutoff time varies by state, so please check with a lottery retailer in your state for the precise time.