All you need to know about the UK Powerball lottery launch

National Lottery operator Allwyn has issued launch materials and in-store support to its 43,500 retail partners ahead of Powerball going on sale on Tuesday (21 July), bringing the world’s biggest rolling jackpot game to UK players.

Backed by major marketing investment and comprehensive retailer support, the launch of Powerball is expected to drive footfall, boost sales and generate significant returns for Good Causes across the UK.

Tickets go on sale from 5am on Tuesday, wih the instore materials complemented by dedicated store visits already taking place to make Playstation upgrades and guide retailers through the upcoming changes.

Each box includes the brand-new play slips for Powerball, refreshed guidance materials and in-store POS assets. Player-facing How To Play leaflets are also included, ensuring they have clear, accessible information when buying tickets and claiming prizes.

UK Powerball players will pick five main numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26, or they can choose a Lucky Dip. Tickets will be available to buy online or in store until 11:55pm the night before the draws (on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays), with draws then taking place at around 4am the following morning - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays - at the Powerball studio in Florida.

If the Powerball jackpot - currently estimated at $526m - continues to roll until the UK launch, UK players will be in with a chance to scoop serious ‘Powerball Money’ in the opening draw on 23 July, Allwyn said.

The game is expected to raise around £1bn for UK Good Causes over its first five years, with all of the funding generated from UK ticket sales going directly to UK beneficiaries and projects.

The UK Powerball launch is also being supported by a multi-channel campaign that spans “TV, cinema, social media, creator partnerships, retail, experiential activations and a large-scale national OOH programme” designed to make Powerball one of the most talked-about launches of the summer.

Allwyn also debuted its Powerball: What Would You Do? ad with a premium 30-second television spot during the FIFA World Cup Final yesterday (19 July), one of the most-watched sporting moments of the year.

Retailers can expect increased engagement and sales driven by Powerball’s fast-growing jackpots, supported by the multi-million-pound advertising campaign to boost footfall and attract new players. With 20p commission per £4 line sold, alongside additional earning and footfall opportunities from in-store prize payouts, the game offers clear commercial benefits.

Retailers should also be aware of the key differences in terminal operations compared with other National Lottery draw-based games. Because draws take place in the US at around 4am UK time, tickets cannot be purchased on the same day as the draw.

Instead, terminals will display selectable ‘Week Days’ of Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, which correspond to draws taking place in the early hours of Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday respectively.

Bridget Lea, MD of retail at Allwyn, said: “The launch of Powerball marks a hugely important milestone for us at Allwyn, for National Lottery players, and for our 43,500 retail partners at the heart of making the new game a success. Retailers will play a vital role in bringing this iconic game to communities across the UK, and we’re committed to providing them with the tools, guidance and support they need.

“Through targeted launch materials, sustained marketing investment and ongoing support, we’re working closely with our retail partners to drive excitement while delivering a great experience for customers. Together, we’ll continue to build on the significant funds raised for Good Causes across the UK – the very essence of The National Lottery.”

Powerball tickets will feature several new elements, giving them a slightly different appearance to other draw-based game tickets.

These include:

Additionally, unlike other draw-based games, Powerball tickets cannot be cancelled from a draw once issued. However, players can only request a refund under the same limited circumstances that apply for all ticket cancellations today - such as when tickets issued in error, are illegible or incomplete, or where duplicate Lucky Dip lines have been printed.

Refunds must be processed within two hours of purchase and before draw sales close or the store closes, using the standard cancellation process. Refunded tickets cannot be validated for prizes, and all returned tickets and slips must be retained for 30 days for reconciliation and security purposes.