For the first time ever, Powerball is launching outside of the United States, offering UK players the chance to win life-changing prizes through a game with jackpots that can climb into the billions.
After months of anticipation, National Lottery operator Allwyn has confirmed that, subject to final regulatory approval, the UK-specific version of the game will officially launch in the UK this month, with players able to buy a £4 Powerball line in National Lottery retailers and on the National Lottery website/app from 21 July.
Powerball from The National Lottery will offer UK players uncapped jackpots starting at £12m, which can grow into the hundreds of millions - and even billions.
The UK-specific version of the iconic Powerball game will see UK players playing alongside their US counterparts for a chance to win the shared jackpot, which will be paid out over 30 years to UK jackpot winners.
The UK game features an extra ‘Match 2 main numbers’ prize tier, which is only available to UK players and offers a fixed prize of £8. The ‘Match 5 main numbers’ tier also offers a fixed prize of £1m, while all other UK prize tiers offer generous, estimated prizes which vary depending on the balls drawn and the number of winners in each tier.
If the Powerball jackpot - currently estimated at $416m - continues to roll until the UK launch, with UK players in with a chance to scoop serious ‘Powerball Money’ in the opening draw on 23 July.
The launch of Powerball follows on from changes Allwyn made to the flagship Lotto game last month, where one £2 Lotto line now gives players two chances to win. Since the first new Lotto draw on 10 June, the revised format has so far created 27 millionaires.
Allwyn added that when jackpots can climb as high as the billions, the possibilities move beyond possessions altogether. This is the kind of money that could “save a beloved local football club, bring a bold community project to life, or fund a cause you care about for generations to come,” it said.
The new game is also expected to raise around £1bn for UK Good Causes over its first five years, with all funding generated from UK ticket sales going directly to UK beneficiaries and projects.
Allwyn CEO, Andria Vidler, said: “We’re excited to give National Lottery players the chance to dream bigger, while supporting thousands of Good Cause projects across the UK every week. Powerball jackpots can soar into the billions, offering breath-taking sums with the potential to transform lives and communities.
“As we begin the countdown to the first draw later this month, you won’t be able to miss Powerball’s arrival with a major launch lined up. We’re encouraging players to get involved when tickets go on sale, and we’ll be crossing our fingers for our first UK winner.”
Powerball is launching in the UK in partnership with the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) – a non-profit association owned and operated by its member lotteries.
UK Powerball players will pick five main numbers ranging from numbers from 1 to 69, and one Powerball number from 1 to 26, or they can still choose a Lucky Dip.
With 48 US-based lotteries participating in Powerball, Allwyn will be launching a tailored version of the game for UK players. Priced at £4 per line, this will see them playing for a chance to win the shared jackpot, paid out over 30 years for UK winners, by matching five main numbers plus the Powerball.
Tickets will be available to buy online or in stores by 11.55pm the night before the draws (Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays), with the draws then happening around 4am the next morning - Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday - from the Powerball studio in Florida.
No comments yet