Advertised Grand Prize shall mean the estimated annuitized Grand Prize amount as determined by the MUSL central office by use of the MUSL Annuity Factor and communicated through the Selling Lotteries prior to the Grand Prize drawing. The Advertised Grand Prize is not a guaranteed prize amount and the actual Grand Prize amount may vary from the advertised amount, except in circumstances where there is a guaranteed Grand Prize amount as described in 961 CMR 2.63(6)(e).
Agent or Retailer means a person or entity authorized by a Selling Lottery to sell lottery plays.
Computer Pick, also known as Quic Pic, means the random selection of indicia by the computer that appear on a ticket or ticketless transaction and are played by a player in the game.
Drawing refers collectively to the formal draw event for randomly selecting the winning indicia that determine the number of winners for each prize level of the Powerball game and the Power Play multiplier. Winning indicia include the Winning Numbers for the Powerball game, and the Power Play multiplier.
Game Board or Boards means that area of the Play Slip, also known as a panel, that contains sets of numbered squares to be marked by the player.
Game Ticket or Ticket means an acceptable evidence of play, which is a ticket produced in a manner that meets the specifications defined in the rules of each Selling Lottery and 961 CMR 2.63(7) and is a physical representation of the play or plays sold to the player or is a properly and validly registered ticketless transaction play.
Grand Prize shall refer to the top prize in the Powerball game.
Licensee Lottery shall mean a state lottery or lottery of a governmental unit, political subdivision, or entity thereof that is not a Party Lottery but has agreed to comply with all applicable MUSL and Product Group requirements and has been authorized by the MUSL and by the Powerball Product Group to sell the Powerball game.
MUSL means the Multi-state Lottery Association, a government-benefit association wholly owned and operated by the Party Lotteries.
MUSL Annuity Factor shall mean the annuity factor as determined by the MUSL central office through a method approved by the MUSL Finance and Audit Committee and which is used as described in 961 CMR 2.63.
MUSL Board means the governing body of the MUSL, which is comprised of the chief executive officer of each Party Lottery.
Party Lottery or Member Lottery means a state lottery or lottery of a political subdivision or entity that has joined the MUSL and, in the context of the Product Group Rules, that is authorized to sell the Powerball game. Unless otherwise indicated, Party Lottery or Member Lottery does not include Licensee Lotteries.
Play or Bet means the six numbers, the first five from a field of 69 numbers and the last one from a field of 26 numbers, that appear on a ticket or communicated in a ticketless transaction as a single lettered selection and are to be played by a player in the Powerball game.
Product Group or the Group means a group of lotteries that has joined together to offer a product pursuant to the terms of the Multi-state Lottery Agreement and the Product Group's own rules.
Play Slip or Bet Slip means a card used in marking a player's game plays and containing one or more boards.
Selling Lottery shall mean a lottery authorized by the Product Group to sell Powerball plays, including Party Lotteries and Licensee Lotteries.
Set Prize, also referred to as low-tier prize, means all other prizes, except the Grand Prize, and, except in instances outlined in 961 CMR 2.63, will be equal to the prize amount established by the MUSL Board for the prize level.
Terminal means a device authorized by a Selling Lottery to function in an on-line, interactive mode with the gaming computer system for the purpose of issuing lottery tickets and entering, receiving, and processing lottery transactions, including making purchases, validating tickets, and transmitting reports.
Ticketless Transaction shall include plays sold through subscription, internet, or non-standard terminals.
Winning Numbers means the indicia randomly selected during a Drawing event which shall be used to determine winning plays for the Powerball game contained on a game ticket or ticketless transaction.
To play Powerball, a player shall select (or computer pick) five different numbers, from one through 69 and one additional number from one through 26. The additional number may be the same as one of the first five numbers selected by the player. Plays can be purchased for $2.00, including any specific statutorily mandated tax of a Selling Lottery to be included in the price of a play. Plays may be purchased from a Selling Lottery approved sales outlet in a manner as approved by the Selling Lottery and in accordance with MUSL Rules.
The Drawing Procedures shall include procedures for randomly selecting the Powerball game Winning Numbers and the Power Play multiplier.
The Product Group has established the following prize reserve accounts for the Powerball game: the Powerball Prize Reserve Account (PRA), which is used to guarantee the payment of valid, but unanticipated, Grand Prize claims that may result from a system error or other reason; and the Powerball Set Prize Reserve Account (SPRA), which is used to fund deficiencies in low-tier Powerball prize payments (subject to limitations of 961 CMR 2.63) .
The Product Group has established the following prize pool accounts for the Powerball game: the Grand Prize pool, which is used to fund the immediate Grand Prize; the Powerball Set Prize Pool, which is used to fund the Powerball Set Prize payments; and the Powerball Set-aside Account, which is used to guarantee payment of the minimum or starting Grand Prize. The Power Play Prize Pool and Power Play Pool Account are described in 961 CMR 2.63(11). The Set Prize Pool holds the temporary balances that may result from having fewer than expected winners in the Powerball Set Prize (aka low-tier prize) categories and the source of the Set Prize Pool is the Party Lottery's weekly prize contributions less actual Powerball Set Prize liability. The source of the Set-aside Account funding shall be the prize reserve deduction until such time as the Set-aside Account is fully funded.
Once the Powerball prize pool accounts and the Party Lottery's share of the Powerball prize reserve accounts exceeds the designated amounts, the excess shall become part of the Grand Prize pool.
The Product Group, with approval of the Finance and Audit Committee, may establish a maximum balance for the Powerball prize pool accounts and prize reserve accounts.
The Product Group may determine to expend all or a portion of the funds in the Powerball prize pool accounts (except the Grand Prize pool account) and the prize reserve accounts, (1) for the purpose of indemnifying the Party Lotteries and Licensee Lotteries in the payment of prizes to be made by the Selling Lotteries, subject to the approval of the Board; and (2) for the payment of prizes or special prizes in the game, limited to prize pool and prize reserve contributions from lotteries participating in the special prize promotion following review and comment of the Finance and Audit Committee. The prize reserve shares of a Party Lottery may be adjusted with refunds to the Party Lottery from the prize reserve account(s) as may be needed to maintain the approved maximum balance and shares of the Party Lotteries.
A Party Lottery may contribute to its share of prize reserve accounts over time, but in the event of a draw down from the reserve account, a Party Lottery is responsible for its full percentage share of the account, whether or not it has been paid in full.
Any amount remaining in the Powerball prize pool accounts or prize reserve accounts when the Product Group declares the end of this game shall be returned to the lotteries participating in the accounts after the end of all claim periods of all Selling Lotteries, carried forward to a replacement game or otherwise expended in a manner at the election of the individual Members of the Product Group in accordance with jurisdiction statute. Licensee Lotteries shall adhere to 961 CMR 2.63(4)(b) unless a different process is approved by the Product Group.
Number of Matches Per Play | Prize Pool Percentage | |
Prize Payment | Allocated to Prize | |
All five of first set plus one of second set | Grand Prize | 68.0131% |
All five of first set and none of second set. | $1,000,000 | 8.5558% |
Any four of first set plus one of second set. | $50,000 | 5.4757% |
Any four of first set and none of second set. | $100 | 0.2738% |
Any three of first set plus one of second set. | $100 | 0.6899% |
Any three of first set and none of second set. | $7 | 1.2074% |
Any two of first set plus one of second set. | $7 | 0.9981% |
Any one of first set plus one of second set. | $4 | 4.3489% |
None of first set plus one of second set. | $4 | 10.4373% |
Number of Matches Per Play | Probability Distribution | Probable/Set Prize Amount | |
Winners | Probability | ||
All five of first set plus one of second set | 1 1: | 292,201,338.0000 | Grand Prize |
All five of first set and none of second set | 25 1: | 11,688,053.5200 | $1,000,000 |
Any four of first set plus one of second set | 320 1: | 913,129.1813 | $50,000 |
Any four of first set and none of second set | 8,000 1: | 36,525.1673 | $100 |
Any three of first set plus one of second set | 20,160 1: | 14,494.1140 | $100 |
Any three of first set and none of second set | 504,000 1: | 579.7646 | $7 |
Any two first set plus one of second set | 416,640 1: | 701.3281 | $7 |
Any one of first set plus one of second set | 3,176,880 1: | 91,9775 | $4 |
None of first set plus one of second set | 7,624,512 1: | 38.3239 | $4 |
Overall | 11,750,538 1: | 24.8671 |
Shares of the Grand Prize shall be determined by dividing the funds available in the Grand Prize pool equally among all winning plays of the Grand Prize. Winner(s) who elect a cash option payment shall be paid their share(s) in a single lump sum payment. The annuitized option prize shall be determined by multiplying a winner's share of the Grand Prize pool by the MUSL Annuity Factor. The MUSL Annuity Factor is determined through a process as approved by the Finance and Audit Committee. Neither MUSL nor the Selling Lotteries shall be responsible or liable for changes in the advertised or estimated annuity prize amount and the actual amount purchased after the prize payment method is actually known to MUSL.
In certain instances announced by the Product Group, the Grand Prize shall be a guaranteed amount and shall be determined pursuant to 961 CMR 2.63(6)(e).
If individual shares of the Grand Prize Pool funds held to fund an annuity is less than $250,000, the Product Group, in its sole discretion, may elect to pay the winners their share of the funds held in the Grand Prize pool.
All annuitized prizes shall be paid annually in 30 payments with the initial payment being made in a single payment, to be followed by 29 payments funded by the annuity. Except as may be controlled by a Selling Lottery's governing statute, all annuitized prizes shall be paid annually in 30 graduated payments (increasing each year) by a rate as determined by the Product Group. Prize payments may be rounded down to the nearest $1,000. Annual payments after the initial payment shall be made by the lottery on the anniversary date or if such date falls on a non-business day, then the first business day following the anniversary date of the selection of the Grand Prize Winning Numbers.
Funds for the initial payment of an annuitized prize or the lump sum cash option prize payment shall be made available by MUSL for payment by the Selling Lottery no earlier than the 15th calendar day (or the next banking day if the 15th day is a holiday) following the drawing. If necessary, when the due date for the payment of a prize occurs before the receipt of funds in the prize pool trust sufficient to pay the prize, the transfer of funds for the payment of the full lump sum cash option amount may be delayed pending receipt of funds from the Selling Lotteries. A paying lottery may elect to make the initial payment from its own funds after validation, with notice to MUSL. If a Party Lottery purchases or holds the prize payment annuity for a prize won in that jurisdiction, that Party Lottery's game rules, and any prize agreement with the prize winner, shall indicate that the prize winner has no recourse on the MUSL or any other Party Lottery for payment of that prize.
In the event of the death of a lottery winner during the annuity payment period, unless prohibited by jurisdictional law, the MUSL Finance and Audit Committee, in its sole discretion excepting a discretionary review by the Product Group, upon the petition of the estate of the lottery winner (the "Estate") to the lottery of the jurisdiction in which the deceased lottery winner purchased the winning play, and subject to federal, state, district, or territorial applicable laws, may accelerate the payment of all of the remaining lottery proceeds to the Estate. If such a determination is made, then securities and/or cash held to fund the deceased lottery winner's annuitized prize may be distributed to the Estate. The identification of the securities to fund the annuitized prize shall be at the sole discretion of the Finance and Audit Committee or the Product Group.
A Selling Lottery may begin paying low-tier prizes after receiving authorization to pay from the MUSL central office. If a Selling Lottery, due to jurisdictional law requirements, separately determines its low-tier prize amounts, it shall be solely responsible for its low-tier prize liability, and may begin paying low-tier prizes after a drawing when it determines appropriate to do so.
The prize payout percentage per draw may vary. The Power Play Prize Pool shall be carried forward to subsequent draws if all or a portion of it is not needed to pay the Power Play prizes awarded in the current draw and held in the Power Play Pool Account.
Any amount remaining in the Power Play Pool Account when the Product Group declares the end of this game shall be returned to the lotteries participating in the account after the end of all claim periods of all Selling Lotteries, carried forward to a replacement game, or otherwise expended in a manner at the election of the individual Members of the Product Group in accordance with jurisdiction statute.
Prize Amount | Regardless of Power Play number selected: | ||||||
Match 5 + 0 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | |
Set Prize Amount | 10X | 5X | 4X | 3X | 2X | ||
Match 4 + 1 | $50,000 | $500,000 | $250,000 | $200,000 | $150,000 | $100,000 | |
Match 4 + 0 | $100 | $1,000 | $500 | $400 | $300 | $200 | |
Match 3 + 1 | $100 | $1,000 | $500 | $400 | $300 | $200 | |
Match 3 + 0 | $7 | $70 | $35 | $28 | $21 | $14 | |
Match 2 + 1 | $7 | $70 | $35 | $28 | $21 | $14 | |
Match 1 + 1 | $4 | $40 | $20 | $16 | $12 | $8 | |
Match 0 + 1 | $4 | $40 | $20 | $16 | $12 | $8 |
In certain rare instances, the Powerball set prize amount may be less than the amount shown. In such case, the eight lowest Power Play prizes will be changed to an amount announced after the draw. For example, if the Match 4 + 1 Powerball set prize amount of $50,000 becomes $25,000 under the rules of the Powerball game and a 5X Power Play multiplier is selected, then a Power Play player winning that prize amount would win $125,000.
When the 10X multiplier is available: | ||
Power Play | Probability of Prize Increase | Chance of Occurrence |
10X - Prize won times ten | 1 in 43 | 2.3255% |
5X - Prize won times five | 2 in 43 | 4.6512% |
4X - Prize won times four | 3 in 43 | 6.9767% |
3X - Prize won times three | 13 in 43 | 30.2326% |
2X - Prize won times two | 24 in 43 | 55.8140% |
When the 10X multiplier is not available: | ||
Power Play | Probability of Prize Increase | Chance of Occurrence |
10X - Prize won times ten | 0 in 42 | 0.00% |
5X - Prize won times five | 2 in 42 | 4.7619% |
4X - Prize won times four | 3 in 42 | 7.1429% |
3X - Prize won times three | 13 in 42 | 30.9523% |
2X - Prize won times two | 24 in 42 | 57.1429% |
Power Play does not apply to the Grand Prize. Except as provided in 961 CMR 2.63(11)(e)4., a Power Play Match 5 prize is set at $2,000,000 regardless of the multiplier selected.
If, after these sources are depleted, there are not sufficient funds to pay the set prizes awarded (including Power Play prize amounts), then the highest set prize (including the Power Play prize amounts) shall become a pari-mutuel prize. If the amount of the highest set prize, when paid on a pari-mutuel basis, drops to or below the next highest set prize and there are still not sufficient funds to pay the remaining set prizes awarded, then the next highest set prize, including the Power Play prize amount, shall become a pari-mutuel prize. This procedure shall continue down through all set prizes levels, if necessary, until all set prize levels become pari-mutuel prize levels. In that instance, the money available from the funding sources listed in 961 CMR 2.63 shall be divided among the winning plays in proportion to their respective prize percentages. Powerball and Power Play prizes will be reduced by the same percentage.
Licensee Lotteries shall adhere to 961 CMR 2.63(11)(g), unless a different process is approved by the Product Group.
By agreement with the Licensee Lotteries, the Licensee Lotteries shall independently calculate their set pari-mutuel prize amounts, including the Power Play prize amounts. The Party Lotteries and Licensee Lotteries shall then agree to set the pari-mutuel prize amounts for all lotteries selling the game at the lesser of the independently-calculated prize amounts.
All other provisions of 961 CMR 2.00 shall, if applicable, apply to the Multi-state Game - Powerball.
961 CMR 2.63