61 Pa. Code § app C § 871.22

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024

Section 871.22 - Changes to Powerball

Any change to the Powerball regulations, announced by the Secretary by way of a notice published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, will be codified as a new paragraph in this section.

(1) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after October 6, 2002:

(i) Section 871.2(a) and (b) (relating to game description and purpose); § 871.3 (relating to definitions) definition of "basic play," "first set numbers," "panel or game panel," "quick pick," "ticket" and "winning numbers;" § 871.7(c) (relating to time, place and manner of conducting drawing). Powerball is a five out of 53 plus one out of 42 on-line game. The first set of numbers are selected from 1 through 53.

(ii) Section 871.9(e) (relating to Powerball prize payments). All annuitized prizes shall be paid in 30 annual payments with the initial payment being made in cash, to be followed by 29 equal annual payments funded by the annuity. The initial payment of an annuitized prize may be made by the Lottery upon validation of the winning ticket.

(iii) Section 871.15 (relating to unclaimed prize money). Unclaimed grand prize and new bonus prize funds will be distributed among all MUSL Lotteries in proportion to each lottery's sales for the grand prize drawing.

(iv) Section 871.19 (relating to probability of winning). The probability of winning is a follows:

Tickets Containing The Following, in One Single Lettered Game Section	Prize Category	Probability of Winning per Play
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number	Grand Prize	1:120,526,770
Five first set numbers	Second Prize	1:2,939,677.317073
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number	Third Prize	1:502,194.875000
Four first set numbers	Fourth Prize	1:12,248.655488
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number	Fifth Prize	1:10,684.997340
Three first set numbers	Sixth Prize	1:260.609691
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number	Seventh Prize	1:696.847653
One first set number and the Powerball number	Eighth Prize	1:123.884027
The Powerball number	Ninth Prize	1:70.388652

(v) Section 871.20(a), (c), (j) and (l) (relating to power play promotion). A player may purchase the power play option for the chance to multiply set prizes won as a result of the Powerball drawing by a number ranging from 2 to 5. The power play number will be selected from among the following series of numbers: 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5 and 5. Except as otherwise provided, all power play set prizes shall be paid in single, lump-sum payments determined by multiplying the Powerball set prize by the number selected in the power play drawing as follows:

Prize Level Powerball Set Prize Amount		Power Play Multiplier and Set Prize Amount
Prize Level Powerball Set Prize Amount		5	4	3	2
Second Prize	$100,000	$500,000	$400,000	$300,000	$200,000
Third Prize	$5,000	$25,000	$20,000	$15,000	$10,000
Fourth Prize	$100	$500	$400	$300	$200
Fifth Prize	$100	$500	$400	$300	$200
Sixth Prize	$7	$35	$28	$21	$14
Seventh Prize	$7	$35	$28	$21	$14
Eighth Prize	$4	$20	$16	$12	$8
Ninth Prize	$3	$15	$12	$9	$6

The odds of various power play numbers being selected in a power play drawing are:

Power Play	Multiplier Odds
2	1:5
3	1:5
4	1:5
5	1:2.5

(vi) New bonus prize.

(a) When the Powerball jackpot is projected to reach a new high annuitized level, the amount of the jackpot prize will be limited, by rule, to increases for each draw of no more than $25 million (annuitized). The prize money collected in excess of the advertised jackpot amount, if any, will be placed into a bonus prize pool and will accumulate until there is a grand prize winner. When there is a grand prize winner, the bonus prize pool will be divided equally among all winners of the second prize. This bonus prize will be paid in one cash lump sum. If there are no second prize winners, the prize pool shall be divided equally among the winners in the next lower prize tier with winners.

(b) There may be times when the second prize will be increased from its current set amount of $100,000 to a higher amount. In those cases, the second prize may be increased to $1 million or more. The actual amount of the prize will depend upon the cash available in the new bonus prize pool and the number of prize winners as set forth in clause (A). The trigger jackpot level will naturally increase over time as the new high annuitized jackpot amount continues to climb.

(c) The new bonus prize is in addition to any power play prizes that may be won. The new bonus prize is awarded independent of the power play option, and is not multiplied by the power play multiplier. A bonus prize winner who also played the power play option will win the original set prize amounts; the amount paid under the power play multiplier option; and the new bonus prize (if effective).

(2) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after August 28, 2005:

(i) Section 871.2(a) and (b); § 871.3 definition of "basic play," "first set numbers," "panel or game," "quick pick," "ticket" and "winning number"; § 871.7(c). Powerball is a five out of 55 plus one out of 42 on-line game. The first set of numbers are selected from 1 through 55.

(ii) Section 871.9(e). Annuitized prizes shall be paid in 30 graduated payments, an initial followed by 29 annual graduated payments increasing each year at a rate determined by the MUSL Powerball Product Group. This rate, once determined, will not change over the life of the payments. The 30 payments will equal 100% of the annuitized prize. Prize payments may be rounded down to the nearest $1,000.

For example:

If the MUSL Powerball Product Group arrived at a 4% rate of increase for a $30 million annuitized jackpot the payment schedule would be as follows:

Payment No.	Graduated Payments (Rounded)	% of Total Annuity Prize
1	$535,000	1.78300991336613%
2	$556,000	1.85433030990078%
3	$578,000	1.92850352229681%
4	$601,000	2.00564366318868%
5	$626,000	2.08586940971623%
6	$651,000	2.16930418610488%
7	$677,000	2.25607635354907%
8	$704,000	2.34631940769104%
9	$732,000	2.44017218399868%
10	$761,000	2.53777907135862%
11	$792,000	2.63929023421297%
12	$823,000	2.74486184358149%
13	$856,000	2.85465631732475%
14	$891,000	2.96884257001774%
15	$926,000	3.08759627281845%
16	$963,000	3.21110012373119%
17	$1,002,000	3.33954412868043%
18	$1,042,000	3.47312589382765%
19	$1,084,000	3.61205092958076%
20	$1,127,000	3.75653296676399%
21	$1,172,000	3.90679428543455%
22	$1,219,000	4.06306605685193%
23	$1,268,000	4.22558869912601%
24	$1,319,000	4.39461224709105%
25	$1,371,000	4.57039673697469%
26	$1,426,000	4.75321260645368%
27	$1,483,000	4.94334111071182%
28	$1,543,000	5.14107475514030%
29	$1,604,000	5.34671774534591%
30	$1,668,000	5.56058645515974%
Payment Total	$30,000,000

(iii) Section 871.8(a) (relating to expected prize payout percentages). Determination of expected prize payout percentages is as follows:

Tickets Containing The Following, In One Single Lettered Game Section	Prize Category	Prize Payment	Approximate Percentage of Winnings Pool Allocated to Prize Category**
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number	Grand Prize	Grand Prize	60.5770%
Five first set numbers	Second Prize*	$200,000	11.2246%
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number	Third Prize*	$10,000	3.4222%
Four first set numbers	Fourth Prize*	$100	1.4030%
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number	Fifth Prize*	$100	1.6768%
Three first set numbers	Sixth Prize*	$7	4.8126%
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number	Seventh Prize*	$7	1.8780%
One first set number and the Powerball number	Eighth Prize*	$4	6.3050%
The Powerball number	Ninth Prize*	$3	8.7008%

* Indicates a set prize.

** Fifty percent of Powerball gross sales are allocated to the winnings pool for the payment of prizes.

(iv) Section 871.19. The probability of winning is as follows:

Tickets Containing The Following in One Single Lettered Game Section	Prize Category	Probability of Winnings per Play
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number	Grand Prize	1:146,107,962
Five first set numbers	Second Prize	1:3,563,608.8293
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number	Third Prize	1:584,431.8480
Four first set numbers	Fourth Prize	1:14,254.4353
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number	Fifth Prize	1:11,927.1806
Three first set numbers	Sixth Prize	1:290.9068
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number	Seventh Prize	1:745.4488
One first set number and the Powerball number	Eighth Prize	1:126.8849
The Powerball number	Ninth Prize	1:68.9592

(v) Section 871.20(a), (c), (j) and (l). A player may purchase the power play option for the chance to multiply set prizes won as a result of the Powerball drawing by a number ranging from 2 to 5. The power play number will be selected from among the following series of numbers: 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5 and 5. Except as otherwise provided, power play set prizes shall be paid in single, lump-sum payments determined by multiplying the Powerball set prize by the number selected in the power play drawing as follows:

Prize Level	Powerball Set Prize Amount	Power Play Multiplier and Set Prize Amount
5	4	3	2
Second Prize	$200,000	$1,000,000	$800,000	$600,000	$400,000
Third Prize	$10,000	$50,000	$40,000	$30,000	$20,000
Fourth Prize	$100	$500	$400	$300	$200
Fifth Prize	$100	$500	$400	$300	$200
Sixth Prize	$7	$35	$28	$21	$14
Seventh Prize	$7	$35	$28	$21	$14
Eighth Prize	$4	$20	$16	$12	$8
Ninth Prize	$3	$15	$12	$9	$6

The odds of various power play numbers being selected in a power play drawing are:

Power Play Multiplier	Odds
2	1:4
3	1:4
4	1:4
5	1:4

(3) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after January 4, 2009:

(i) Section 871.2(a) (relating to game description and purpose). Powerball is a five out of 59 plus one out of 39 on-line lottery game which pays the grand prize on an annuitized, parimutuel basis. Except as provided in this chapter, all other prizes are paid on a set cash basis.

(ii) Section 871.2(b) The purpose of the Powerball game is to determine winners from ticket holders matching five numbers from 1 through 59, and matching the separately drawn Powerball number, or a designated combination thereof, within a single play, with the five winning numbers and the Powerball number to be randomly drawn. Drawings will be conducted twice a week or as publicly announced by the Secretary.

(iii) Section 871.3 (relating to definitions).

Basic play-Each set of six numbers consisting of five numbers from 1 through 59 and the Powerball number on a ticket purchased without the selection of any promotion, representing a single entry for a Powerball drawing and designated by a letter from A to E on a Powerball ticket.

First set numbers-The first group of numbers, from 1 through 59, appearing in the top grid of a Powerball game panel.

Grand prize winnings pool-An amount constituting 32.5288% of gross sales from all participating States for a particular Powerball game drawing for the purpose of paying winning grand prizes in that drawing. The grand prize winnings pool includes prize money allocated to the grand prize category from prior Powerball game drawings in which there were no winning grand prize tickets. A portion of this pool is used to fund prize reserve accounts until those accounts achieve maximum balances.

Panel or game panel-One of five areas of the Powerball bet slip that contains two number grids. The upper grids (first set numbers) contain 59 squares, each numbered 1 through 59 and the lower grids (second set numbers) contain 39 squares, each numbered 1 through 39. Each panel is lettered either A, B, C, D or E, and when used to purchase a ticket, corresponds to the numbers selected and printed on the ticket adjacent to that letter.

Powerball number or second set number-The number selected from the second group of numbers, from 1 through 39, appearing in the lower grid of a Powerball game panel.

Quick pick-The random selection by the Lottery's computer system of five numbers from 1 through 59 and a Powerball number from 1 through 39 that appear on a ticket in the Powerball game.

Second set numbers-The second group of numbers, from 1 through 39, appearing in the lower grid of a Powerball game panel.

Set prize winnings pool-An amount constituting 17.4712% of gross sales for the current drawing and any moneys carried forward from previous draws.

Ticket-A Powerball ticket, produced by an on-line terminal from a licensed on-line retailer in an authorized manner, containing a letter prefix followed by five selected numbers from 1 through 59 and a single selected Powerball number from 1 through 39 for each basic play, ticket validation number data, drawing date, amount bet and any applicable promotion exercised by the player. Each set of five numbers and the Powerball number constitutes a basic play of which there may be one or more, up to five on a ticket.

Winning numbers-Six numbers, the first five numbers from 1 through 59, and the Powerball number from 1 through 39, selected at a Powerball drawing and subsequently validated by the MUSL, which shall be used to determine the winning Powerball plays.

Editor's note: This is a partial listing of the definitions applicable to Powerball. See § 871.3 (relating to definitions) for additional definitions.

(iv) Section 871.7(c) (relating to time, place and manner of conducting drawing). Manner of conducting drawing. The MUSL will draw at random five numbers from a set of balls numbered 1 through 59 and one Powerball number from a set of balls numbered 1 through 39 with the aid of mechanical drawing equipment. The drawings will be observed by security personnel and independent auditors and the validity of a drawing will be solely determined by the MUSL.

(v) Section 871.8(a) (relating to expected prize payout percentages).

Determination of expected prize payout percentages is as follows:

Tickets Containing The Following, In One Single Lettered Game Section	Prize Category	Prize Payment	Approximate Percentage of Winnings Pool Allocated to Prize Category**
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number	Grand Prize	Grand Prize	65.0576%
Five first set numbers	Second Prize*	$200,000	7.7850%
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number	Third Prize*	$10,000	2.7656%
Four first set numbers	Fourth Prize*	$100	1.0510%
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number	Fifth Prize*	$100	1.4658%
Three first set numbers	Sixth Prize*	$7	3.8990%
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number	Seventh Prize*	$7	1.7786%
One first set number and the Powerball number	Eighth Prize*	$4	6.4790%
The Powerball number	Ninth Prize*	$3	9.7184%

* Indicates a set prize.

** Fifty percent of Powerball gross sales are allocated to the winnings pool for the payment of prizes.

(vi) Section 871.8(c)(1) (relating to expected prize payout percentages). If the total of the set prizes awarded in a Powerball drawing exceeds the set prize pool which is 17.4712% of gross sales, the amount needed to fund the set prizes shall be drawn from the following sources in the following order:

(i) The amount allocated to the set prize tiers and carried forward from previous draws, if any.

(ii) An amount from the MUSL set prize reserve account, if available, not to exceed $25,000,000 per Powerball drawing.

(vii) Section 871.19 (relating to probability of winning). The probability of winning is as follows:

Tickets Containing The Following In One Single Lettered Game Section	Prize Category	Probability of Winnings per Play
Five first set numbers and the Powerball number	Grand Prize	1:195,249,054
Five first set numbers	Second Prize	1:5,138,133
Four first set numbers and the Powerball number	Third Prize	1:723,144.6444
Four first set numbers	Fourth Prize	1:19,030.1222
Three first set numbers and the Powerball number	Fifth Prize	1:13,644.2386
Three first set numbers	Sixth Prize	1:359.0589
Two first set numbers and the Powerball number	Seventh Prize	1:787.1676
One first set number and the Powerball number	Eighth Prize	1:123.4773
The Powerball number	Ninth Prize	1:61.7386

(viii) Section 871.20(a) (relating to power play promotion). The powerplay promotion shall be available in association with the Powerball game and will continue until the Secretary publicly announces a suspension or termination thereof. The power play promotion will be conducted in accordance with the Powerball rules except that players may purchase the power play option for the chance to multiply set prizes won as a result of a Powerball drawing by a number ranging from 2 to 5. The Powerball grand prize will not be eligible for multiplication under the power play promotion. The Secretary will on occasion announce, as a special promotion, a multiplier of 10.

(ix) Section 871.20(c). At the time of each Powerball drawing, the MUSL shall conduct a power play drawing, with the aid of mechanical drawing equipment or any other selection methodology as authorized by the Secretary, under the supervision of security and an independent auditor which shall result in the selection of the power play number from among the following series of numbers: 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5 and 5.

(x) Section 871.20(d). Powerball tickets that contain the power play option and one or more plays eligible for Powerball set prizes (but not the grand prize) identified in § 871.8(a) (relating to expected prize payout percentages) shall be entitled to a total set prize calculated by multiplying each Powerball set prize by the power play number. The second prize category power play multiplier will be fixed at a minimum of 5.

(xi) Section 871.20(j). Except as otherwise provided, all power play set prizes shall be paid in single, lump-sum payments determined by multiplying the Powerball set prize by the number selected in the power play drawing as follows:

Prize Level	Powerball Set Prize Amount	Power Play Multiplier and Set Prize Amount
5	4	3	2
Second Prize	$200,000	$1,000,000	$1,000,000	$1,000,000	$1,000,000
Third Prize	$10,000	$50,000	$40,000	$30,000	$20,000
Fourth Prize	$100	$500	$400	$300	$200
Fifth Prize	$100	$500	$400	$300	$200
Sixth Prize	$7	$35	$28	$21	$14
Seventh Prize	$7	$35	$28	$21	$14
Eighth Prize	$4	$20	$16	$12	$8
Ninth Prize	$3	$15	$12	$9	$6

61 Pa. Code § app C § 871.22

The provisions of this § 871.22 amended July 12, 2002, effective 10/6/2002, 32 Pa.B. 3396; amended October 11, 2002, and applies to the ticket sales beginning on Sunday, October 6, 2002, for the Powerball drawing on Wednesday, October 9, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 5144; amended July 22, 2005, effective 8/28/2005, 35 Pa.B. 4151; amended November 28, 2008, effective 1/4/2009, 38 Pa.B. 6571; amended May 27, 2011, effective 5/28/2011, 41 Pa.B. 2787; amended December 16, 2011, these changes will affect ticket sales beginning on Sunday, January 15, 2012, for the Powerball drawing on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 41 Pa.B. 6945; amended September 27, 2013, these changes will affect ticket sales beginning October 1, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 5776; amended January 3, 2014, these changes will affect ticket sales beginning January 19, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 138; amended September 25, 2015, these changes will affect ticket sales beginning October 4, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 5884; amended April 17, 2020, these changes will affect ticket sales beginning April 9, 2020, 50 Pa.B. 2161; amended August 13, 2021, these changes will affect ticket sales beginning August 23, 2021, 51 Pa.B. 4953; amended August 27, 2021, these changes will affect ticket sales beginning August 22, 2021, 51 Pa.B. 5498.

This section cited in 61 Pa. Code § 871.21 (relating to future changes to Powerball).