N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 9 § 5007.13

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 51, December 18, 2024

Section 5007.13 - Powerball

(a) Purpose.

(1) The purpose of the Powerball Game (also referred to as Powerball) is the generation of revenue for education in New York State through the operation of a specially-designed multi-state lottery game that will award prizes to holders of tickets matching specified combinations of numbers randomly selected in regularly scheduled drawings.

(2) During each Powerball drawing, six Powerball winning numbers will be selected from two fields of numbers in the following manner: five winning numbers from a field of one through 69, and one winning number from a field of one through 26.

(b) Definitions. The following definitions apply to Powerball:

(1) MUSL means the Multi-State Lottery Association that administers the Powerball game.

(2) Quick Pick has the meaning set forth in paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of section 5004.9 of this Subchapter.

(3) Powerball Play Area means the area of the play slip, also known as a panel that contains two sets of numbered spaces to be marked by a player, the first set containing 69 spaces, numbered one through 69 and the second set containing 26 spaces, numbered one through 26.

(4) Powerball play slip or bet slip means a card used in marking a player's game plays and containing one or more play areas.

(5) Powerball Winning numbers means the six numbers, the first five from a field of 69 numbers and the last one from a field of 26 numbers, randomly selected at each drawing, which shall be used to determine winning plays shown on a game ticket.

(6) Fixed prize means all other prizes except the jackpot prize that are advertised to be paid by a single payment and, except in instances specified in this section, will be equal to the prize amount established for the prize level.

(c) Game description.

(1) Powerball is a five out of 69 plus one out of 26 computerized lottery game that pays the jackpot prize, at the election of the player made in accordance with this section or by a default election made in accordance with this section, either on an annuitized pari-mutuel basis or as a lump sum payment of the total cash held for this prize pool on a pari-mutuel basis. Except as provided in this section, all other prizes are paid on a fixed lump sum basis. To play Powerball, a player may select 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 a player. A player may select a set of five numbers and one additional number by communicating the six numbers to a lottery sales agent, or by marking six numbered spaces in any one panel on a play slip and submitting the play slip to an agent or by requesting quick pick from an agent. An agent will then issue a ticket containing the selected set or sets of numbers, each of which constitutes a game play.

(2) A Powerball ticket may not be canceled.

(3) It shall be the sole responsibility of a player to verify the accuracy and readability of the information displayed on a Powerball ticket at the time of purchase. Neither an agent nor the commission shall be liable for any errors in the accuracy and readability of a ticket occurring for any reason, after the purchaser leaves an agent location.

(4) A play may only be entered manually using the lottery terminal keypad or touch screen or by means of a play slip provided by the commission and hand-marked by the player or by other means approved by the commission. An agent shall not permit the use of facsimiles of play slips, copies of play slips, or other materials that are inserted into the terminal's play slip reader that are not printed or approved by the commission. An agent shall not permit any device to be connected to a lottery terminal to enter plays, except as approved by the commission.

(5) A Powerball subscription sales program may be offered at the discretion of the commission.

(6) A Powerball game feature may be added at the discretion of the commission. A game feature is an alternative or additional method for playing the game within the same basic game design.

(d) Ticket sales. Powerball tickets shall be sold only through agents or other means authorized by the commission.

(e) Ticket prices.

(1) A Powerball ticket may be purchased for $2 per play in accordance with the number of game panels and inclusive drawings. The purchaser receives one play for each $2 wagered in Powerball. Tickets may contain multiple plays. The commission may authorize the sale of Powerball tickets at a different purchase price. Such a change in the purchase price shall be announced publicly by the commission prior to the effective date of such change.

(2) From time to time, the commission may authorize the sale of Powerball tickets at a discount for promotional purposes.

(f) Play characteristics and restrictions.

(1)

(i) A Powerball ticket may be sold only to a person 18 years of age or older.

(ii) The commission shall penalize a licensee found to have violated subparagraph (i) of this paragraph according to the provisions of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 5001.27 of this Chapter.

(2) No Powerball ticket shall be sold to and no prize shall be paid to the following persons:

(i) any officer or employee of the commission; or a MUSL employee, officer, or director;

(ii) any contractor, subcontractor, or consultant, or officer or employee of a contractor, subcontractor, or consultant, if such person is directly involved in the production of lottery tickets, the operation or observation of lottery games or drawings, or the processing of lottery prize claims or payments; or a contractor or consultant under agreement with MUSL to review MUSL audit and security procedures;

(iii) any person subject to a contract with the commission if such contract contains a provision prohibiting such person from purchasing a lottery ticket or receiving a lottery prize; or an employee of an independent accounting firm under contract with MUSL to observe drawings or site operations and actually assigned to the MUSL account and all partners, shareholders, or owners in the local office of the firm to the headquarters of MUSL; or

(iv) any spouse, child, brother, sister or parent residing as a member of the same household in the principal place of abode of any such person. This paragraph shall not be deemed to prohibit the sale of a lottery ticket or the payment of a lottery prize to an officer or employee of the commission or to a contractor, subcontractor, or consultant or to an officer or employee of a contractor, subcontractor, or consultant if such sale or prize payment is not for the individual benefit of such person and is made in connection with an official investigation, audit, marketing effort or other activity authorized by the commission.

(3) A Powerball ticket may not be purchased in any other state by any commission employee or any spouse, child, brother, sister or parent residing as a member of the same household in the principal place of abode of any commission employee.

(4) A Powerball ticket matching all game play, serial number and other validation data recorded in the commission's computerized gaming system computer shall be the only valid proof of the wager placed and the only valid receipt for claiming or redeeming any prize.

(5) A player may submit a completed Powerball play slip to an agent to have a Powerball ticket issued. Powerball play slips shall be available at no cost to a player and shall have no pecuniary or prize value, or constitute evidence of purchase or number selections.

(6) A player may orally convey such player's selections to an agent to have a Powerball ticket issued. Such selections shall be entered into the computer terminal by an agent.

(7) A player may use a self-service terminal if available or any other means authorized by the commission for the purchase of a Powerball ticket and may make number selections by such methods as may be permitted by the commission. Those methods may include, but are not limited to, inserting a completed Powerball play slip into a reader, manually entering the selections on a touch screen, or selecting a quick pick option.

(8) A Powerball ticket may be purchased for a specified number of future drawings.

(g) Time, place and manner of conducting drawings. Powerball drawings will be conducted at times, places and in a manner authorized by MUSL.

(h) Prize Pool, Prize Structure and Probability of Winning.

(1) Prize pool. The prize pool for all prize categories shall consist of 50 percent of each drawing period's sales after the prize reserve accounts are funded to set amounts. If the Powerball game is no longer offered in New York State, any amount remaining in the prize pool at the end of the game shall be carried forward to a replacement game or used in a manner as permitted by New York State law.

(2) Prize reserve accounts. The prize reserve account may be adjusted as needed to maintain an approved maximum balance and shares of the party lotteries as specified by MUSL. If the Powerball game is no longer offered in New York State, any amount remaining in a prize reserve account at the end of the game shall be carried forward to a replacement prize reserve account or used in a manner as permitted by New York State law.

(3) Expected Prize Payout Percentages. The Jackpot Prize shall be determined on a pari-mutuel basis. Except as provided in this section, all other prizes shall be paid as fixed lump sum prizes with the following expected prize payout percentages:

Prize Pool Percentage Number of Matches Per Play	Prize Payment	Allocated to Prize
All five of first set plus one of second set.	Jackpot 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	0.3489%
None of first set plus one of second set.	$4	10.4373%

(4) The prize money allocated to the jackpot prize category shall be divided equally by the number of game panels winning the jackpot prize.

(5) The prize pool percentage allocated to the fixed prizes shall be carried forward to subsequent drawings if all or a portion of it is not needed to pay the fixed prizes awarded in the current drawing. The commission, in consultation with other state lotteries selling Powerball tickets, may decide that it is necessary to pay a fixed prize as a pari-mutuel prize.

(6) Probability of Winning. The following table sets forth the probability of winning and the probable distribution of winners in and among each prize category based upon the total number of possible combinations in Powerball.

Probability Distribution
Number of Matches Per Ticket	Winners	Odds 1 in	Prize Amount
All five of first set plus one of second set.	1	292,201,338.0000	Jackpot prize
All five of first set and none of second set.	25	11,688,053.5200	$1,000,000
Any four of first set plus one of second set.	320	913,129.1813	$50,000
Any four of first set and none of second set.	8,000	36,525.1673	$100
Any three of first set plus one of second set.	20,160	14,494.1140	$100
Any three of first set and none of second set.	504,000	579.7646	$7
Any two of first set plus one of second set.	416,640	701.3281	$7
Any one of first set plus one of second set.	3,176,880	91.9775	$4
None of first set plus one of second set.	7,624,512	38.3239	$4
Overall	11,750,538	24.8671

(i) Prize payment.

(1) Jackpot Prizes. Jackpot prizes shall be paid, at the election of a player made no later than 60 days after the player becomes entitled to the prize, with either an annuity or lump sum payment. If the payment election is not made by a player within 60 days after the player becomes entitled to the prize, then the prize shall be paid as an annuity prize. An election to take a lump sum payment may be made at the time of the prize claim or within 60 days after the player becomes entitled to the prize. An election made after the winner becomes entitled to the prize is final and cannot be revoked, withdrawn or otherwise changed without the approval of the commission. Shares of the jackpot prize shall be determined by dividing the cash available in the jackpot prize pool equally among all winners of the jackpot prize in all participating lottery states. Winner(s) who elect a lump sum payment shall be paid their share(s) in a single lump sum payment upon successful completion of validation procedures. Neither MUSL nor the participating lotteries shall be responsible or liable for changes in the advertised or estimated annuity prize amount and the actual amount determined after the prize payment method is actually known to MUSL. In certain instances announced by MUSL, the jackpot prize shall be a guaranteed amount and shall be determined pursuant to paragraph (5) of this subdivision. All annuitized prizes shall be paid annually in 30 payments with the initial payment being made in a lump sum, to be followed by 29 payments, upon successful completion of validation procedures. All annuitized prizes shall be paid annually in 30 graduated payments (increasing each year) by a rate as determined by MUSL. Prize payments may be rounded down to the nearest $1,000.

(2) Low-tier prize payments. All low-tier prizes shall be paid in one payment.

(3) Prizes rounded. Annuitized payments of the jackpot prize or a share of the jackpot prize may be rounded to facilitate the purchase of an appropriate funding mechanism. Amounts remaining after rounding on an annuitized jackpot prize shall be added to the initial payment to the winner or winners. Prizes other than the jackpot prize, which, under these rules, may become single-payment, pari-mutuel prizes, may be rounded down so that prizes can be paid in multiples of whole dollars. Amounts remaining after rounding shall be carried forward to the prize pool for the next drawing.

(4) Rollover. If the jackpot prize is not won in a drawing, the prize money allocated for the jackpot prize shall roll over and be added to the jackpot prize pool for the following drawing.

(5) Funding of guaranteed prizes. Guaranteed minimum jackpot prize amounts, minimum increases in the jackpot prize amount between drawings or changes in the allocation of prize money may be offered where it is determined that it would be in the best interest of the game. Minimum guaranteed prizes or increases may be waived if the alternate funding mechanism specified in subdivision (h) of this section is used.

(6) Limited to highest prize won. The holder of a winning ticket may win only one prize per panel in connection with the winning numbers drawn, and shall be entitled only to the prize won by those numbers in the highest matching prize category.

(j) Ticket responsibility.

(1) A winning Powerball ticket is deemed to be owned by the person or entity named in the prize claim or, by the bearer of the ticket.

(2) Neither the commission, MUSL nor their agents shall be responsible for lost or stolen Powerball tickets.

(3) A player of the Powerball game has the sole responsibility for verifying the accuracy and readability of the information displayed on the ticket at the time of purchase.

(4) The commission and/or MUSL shall not be responsible to the claimant for a Powerball ticket redeemed in error by an agent or retailer.

(5) Winners are determined by the numbers drawn and not the numbers reported. The commission and/or MUSL shall not be responsible for Powerball winning numbers reported in error.

(k) Ticket validation requirements.

(1) In order to be deemed a valid, winning Powerball ticket, all of the following conditions must be met:

(i) the validation data must be present in its entirety and must correspond, using the computer validation file, to the number selections printed on the ticket for the drawing date(s) printed on the ticket;

(ii) the ticket must be intact;

(iii) the ticket must not be mutilated, altered, reconstituted, or tampered with in any manner;

(iv) the ticket must not be counterfeit or an exact duplicate of another winning ticket;

(v) the ticket must have been issued by the commission or an authorized agent of the commission;

(vi) the commission must not have actual knowledge that the ticket has been stolen;

(vii) the ticket must be submitted for payment in accordance with the commission's procedures for claiming and payment of prizes;

(viii) the ticket data must have been recorded on the commission's central computer system prior to the drawing and the ticket data must match that computer record in every respect. In the event of a contradiction between information as printed on the ticket and as accepted by the commission's central computer system, the wager accepted by the commission's central computer system shall be the valid wager;

(ix) the player or computer number selections, validation data and the drawing date(s) of an apparent winning ticket must appear on the official file of winning tickets, and a ticket with that exact data must not have been previously paid;

(x) the ticket must not be mis-registered, defectively printed, or produced in error to an extent that it cannot be processed by the commission;

(xi) the ticket must pass all of the commission's security protocols and operation procedures;

(xii) in submitting a Powerball ticket for validation, the claimant agrees to abide by applicable laws, all rules and regulations, instructions, conditions and final decisions of the director of the commission;

(xiii) There must not be any other breach of the Powerball game rules or regulations in relation to the ticket, which, in the discretion of the commission justifies invalidation;

(xiv) the ticket must be submitted to the commission and to no other lottery participating in any Powerball lottery game; and

(xv) no Powerball ticket purchased outside the State of New York may be presented to either the commission or an agent for payment within New York.

(2) A ticket shall be the only proof of a game play or plays and the submission of a winning ticket to the commission shall be the sole method of claiming a prize or prizes.

(3) A Powerball ticket submitted for validation that fails any of the preceding validation requirements shall be considered void, subject to the following determinations:

(i) the commission may, at the option of the commission, replace an invalid ticket with a Powerball ticket of equivalent sales price or a refund of purchase price;

(ii) in the event a defective ticket is purchased or in the event the commission determines to adjust an error, the sole and exclusive remedy shall be the replacement of such defective or erroneous ticket(s) with a Powerball ticket of equivalent sales price or a refund of purchase price;

(iii) in the event a Powerball ticket is not paid by the commission and a dispute occurs as to whether the ticket is a winning ticket, the commission may, at the commission's option, replace the ticket as provided in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph. This shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the claimant or a refund of purchase price.

(l) Procedures for claiming and payment of prizes.

(1) For a Powerball ticket purchased in New York State, a prize shall be redeemed or claimed only in New York State through agents or authorized customer service centers, effective upon determination of prize payouts.

(2) A holder of a winning Powerball prize must comply with the prize claim requirements of the commission.

(3) In the event that a single Powerball ticket contains two or more winning game panels, the cumulative prize amount shall be claimed or redeemed in accordance with the specified prize payment limits for the commission.

(4) Federal, State and local taxes shall be withheld from Powerball prizes in such amounts as may be required by law.

(5) Powerball prize shall not be paid by the commission onto any persons prohibited from playing Powerball within New York State.

(6) There shall be no assignment of Powerball prizes except as specified in Part 5002 of this Subchapter.

(7) Each prize winner shall be subject to a publicity release as specified in Part 5002 of this Subchapter and participation in a news conference or event.

(8) Child support arrears, public assistance repayments and past due State tax liabilities shall be withheld from Powerball prizes in such amounts as may be required by law.

(m) Unclaimed prize money. Any prizes not claimed during the one year claim period after the date of each Powerball drawing will be considered forfeited.

(n) Governing law.

(1) In purchasing a Powerball ticket in New York State, a purchaser agrees to comply with and be bound by all applicable statutes, administrative rules and regulations, and procedures of New York State, and by directives and determinations of the commission. A purchaser agrees, as such purchaser's sole and exclusive remedy, that claims arising out of a ticket purchased in New York State can be pursued only against the commission and no other lottery. Litigation, if any, arising from the purchase of a Powerball ticket in New York State may only be maintained against the commission within the State of New York.

(2) In the event of a conflict between the Powerball group game rules and the statutes, rules or regulations of the commission or the State of New York, the statutes, rules and regulations of the commission or the State of New York shall control.

(3) All decisions by the commission, including the declaration of prizes and the payment thereof and the interpretation of Powerball rules, shall be final and binding on all players and on every person making a claim in respect thereof.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 5007.13

Amended New York State Register September 30, 2015/Volume XXXVII, Issue 39, eff.9/30/2015

Amended New York State Register June 8, 2016/Volume XXXVIII, Issue 23, eff.6/8/2016

Amended New York State Register July 14, 2021/Volume XLIII, Issue 28, eff. 7/14/2021