Powerball (Australia)

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Powerball

Region	Australia
Highest jackpot	$200 million
Website	www.thelott.com

Powerball is a lottery operated by Tatts Group under the master brand, the Lott and its licensed subsidiaries including New South Wales Lotteries in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Tattersalls in Victoria and Tasmania, Golden Casket in Queensland, and South Australian Lotteries in South Australia. The Government owned Lotterywest operates the lottery in Western Australia.

The highest Australian Powerball jackpot was A$200 million on 1 February 2024. The biggest individual Powerball game was won in May also in 2024.^[1] Most jackpot wins are not shared by multiple tickets. A minimum of three numbers is needed, those being two regular numbers plus the Powerball. Winners always collect in lump sum parimutuel winnings.

The game was first revamped on 1 March 2013; drawing six regular numbers from 40 balls plus a Powerball using 20 balls. This also allowed the introduction of an 8th prize Division (two main numbers plus the Powerball).^[2] Other changes include an increase of 10c per play, and the introduction of an option (QuickHit40) which will "wheel" the 40 Powerballs although not guaranteeing a prize.

The current Powerball format was introduced on 19 April 2018, using two Smartplay Halogen II draw machines with the intention of offering bigger jackpots and creating more overall winners. In each draw, seven regular numbers are selected from a pool of 35, while the additional Powerball continues to be drawn from a separate pool of 20 balls. A new, 9th Prize Division was added. To enable the new format, the cost of Powerball entries was increased.