Changes to Powerball game coming in October

A new version of the Powerball game coming in October will continue offering big jackpots, but also increase other significant prizes in the game and provide better odds for winning an overall prize.
 
One change brings a higher prize for matching four white balls and the Powerball, increasing it from $10,000 to $50,000.

Another enhancement provides a chance for those who buy Power Play tickets to multiply most winnings up to 10 times when the jackpot is $150 million or less. Currently, players can multiply many prizes by up to five times by adding the Power Play option for an extra $1 per play. Under the new design, the Power Play option will be expanded to multiply most prizes except for the jackpot and Match 5 level by up to 10 times whenever the jackpot is $150 million or less. The Match 5 prize of $1 million will continue to double to $2 million when players choose the Power Play option

Let’s say the jackpot is $100 million and you win a $50,000 prize for matching four of the first five numbers and the Powerball. If you added the Power Play option and the 10X multiplier is selected, your $50,000 prize would be multiplied to $500,000.

Here’s a quick look at some other changes.

•    New sets of numbers to choose for white balls and Powerball. The range of numbers for the white balls expands from 1-59 to 1-69. The numbers for the Powerball shift from 1-35 to 1-26.
•    New odds. The overall odds of winning any prize improve, decreasing from one in 32 to one in 25. But the odds of winning a jackpot will get longer, increasing from 1 in 175 million to 1 in 292 million.
 
Here’s a look at parts of the game that don’t change.
•    Ticket prizes. A Powerball ticket will still cost $2 and a Power Play ticket will still cost $3.
•    Initial jackpot. Jackpots will still start at $40 million.
•    Game’s second prize. Matching the first five numbers but not the Powerball will still be $1 million.

To get ready for the new version of the game, a “step-down” on Powerball multi-draw purchases will begin after tonight’s Powerball drawing.  You will only be affected by the step-down if you like to purchase tickets for consecutive drawings. The step-down is already in place for those who buy a subscription to Powerball drawings through the lottery’s online subscription program.
 
Here’s how step-down works. The number of multi-draw plays available for purchase will decrease by one for each drawing until tickets for the new game go on sale Sunday, Oct. 4. On that day, North Carolina Powerball players will once again be able to purchase multi-draw tickets for as many as 26 upcoming drawings.

The first drawing under the new version of the game will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7.

If you have questions about the new Powerball game or the step-down, please call our player customer service helpline at (877) 962-7529.