PowerPlay (lottery)

PowerPlay is a multiplier used in the US multi-state lottery jackpot game Powerball; it is available in each of its 31 jurisdictions. (A similar multiplier is used for Mega Millions, but only within Texas. Also, Florida will be joining Powerball in January 2009.)

The PowerPlay is optional. Powerball tickets normally cost $1 each; activating PowerPlay raises the price to $2 for any player selection (five regular numbers plus the red "Powerball"; whether the player selects the numbers themself and/or has the numbers "quick-picked") where the PowerPlay is activated. Before each Powerball drawing, a wheel is spun by the emcee. The ball lands in one of 16 slots, numbered 2, 3, 4, or 5 four times each (during a yearly promotion, one of the "5" spaces is replaced by "10"). If a player wins a Powerball prize (excluding the jackpot), and PowerPlay was activated for that selection, the multiplier picked applies to that game. For example, matching the red "Powerball" (without any of the five regular numbers) usually wins $3; but, if that selection had PowerPlay activated, and the multiplier is 5, the prize is $15.

Usually, the maximum possible PowerPlay prize is $1 million (cash), if a player matches all five regular balls ($200,000; missing only the red Powerball number) and the PowerPlay is 5. (When the 10x space is on the wheel, a non-jackpot win of $2 million cash is possible; that promotion always guarantees at least one Powerball drawing with a PowerPlay of 10x, extending the promotion if necessary.)

With Florida joining Powerball in January 2009, becoming MUSL's most-populated member, Powerball will again change its double matrix to create larger jackpots. The PowerPlay option will not radically change, except for second prize; a PowerPlay ticket matching all five white balls (missing only the red ball) will win, under normal conditions, $1,000,000 cash, as the PowerPlay will automatically be 5x for second prize (although continuing to be randomly 2x through 5x for the seven lower levels).