In 1998, Florida was given permission by its government to participate in a multi-state game. The annuity comprises 30 graduated payments, increasing 5% annually. On November 2, 1997, the annuity was changed from 20 to 25 yearly payments the cash option was added. It planned to sell tickets for both games for the rest of 1996 but within days Georgia was removed from MUSL, not to return until the 2010 cross-sell expansion. In August 1996, Georgia joined the then-new The Big Game, then the other major U.S. A few weeks later, Georgia became the only jurisdiction to leave Powerball (Maine, which joined MUSL in 1990, left when Powerball began).
In 1996, Powerball went "on the road" for the first time, holding five remote drawings at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The drawings' host was longtime Iowa radio personality Mike Pace, who had hosted MUSL drawings since Lotto America began in 1988. Through 2008, Powerball drawings usually were held at Screenscape Studios in West Des Moines, Iowa. The two-drum concept has since been used by The Big Game (now Mega Millions) in the US, Australia's Powerball, Thunderball in the UK, Eurojackpot and EuroMillions. The two-drum concept was suggested by Steve Caputo of the Oregon Lottery. Using two drums to draw numbers from offers more manipulation by simultaneously allowing high jackpot odds, numerous prize levels and low overall odds of winning (as explained later, a ticket can win by matching only one number). When it was launched in 1992 Powerball became the first game to use two drums.
Stanek was president of the Iowa Lottery and one of two men, along with Steve Caputo, who came up with the Powerball game. The game, and name, were changed to Powerball on Apits first drawing was held April 22.ĭr. Powerball's predecessor began in 1988 the multi-state game was known as Lotto America. Mega Millions and Powerball LotteryĪlabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah do not sell lottery tickets. Powerball replaced Lotto*America in April 1992 Mega Millions replaced The Big Game 10 years later (See below for the evolution of the name Mega Millions.).
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As of 2020, all states with lotteries (in blue) plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands offer Powerball. On January 13, 2016, Powerball produced the largest lottery jackpot in history the $1.586 billion jackpot was split by three tickets sold in Chino Hills, California in Munford, Tennessee and in Melbourne Beach, Florida. One lump sum payment will be less than the total of the 30 annual payments because of the time value of money and also because one check for a much larger sum will be taxed at a greater rate than 30 checks each at a much lower sum will be taxed. Powerball's minimum advertised jackpot is $20 million (annuity) Powerball's annuity is paid in 30 graduated installments or winners may choose a lump sum payment instead. The drawings are held at the Florida Lottery's studio in Tallahassee. Eastern Time some lotteries cut off sales earlier. The official cutoff for ticket sales is 10:00 p.m. Each play costs $2 or $3 with the Power Play option (originally, Powerball plays cost $1 when PowerPlay began, such games were $2.). Since October 7, 2015, the game has used a 5/69 (white balls) + 1/26 (Powerballs) matrix from which winning numbers are chosen, resulting in odds of 1 in 292,201,338 of winning a jackpot per play. The drawings are audited by Carol and Company. Eastern Time, at Universal Studios in Orlando, with Sam Arlen, Michelle Liles and Laura Johnson as hosts. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evening at 10:59 p.m.
From its inaugural drawing on April 19, 1992, until August 21, 2021, Powerball drawings were held twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday) a third weekly drawing (held Mondays) was added on August 23, 2021. It is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), a nonprofit organization formed by an agreement with lobbyists and US corporations. Powerball is an American lottery game offered by 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S.