Powerball is an Australian nationally-run lottery game, operated by different gaming companies across different states.
In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, the game is run by NSW Lotteries; in Victoria and Tasmania the game is operated by Tattersalls; in Queensland it is hosted by Golden Casket; South Australian Lotteries Commission operates the game in South Australia; and in Western Australia, Powerball is run by Lotterywest.
The rules of Powerball
Based on the American game of the same name, the Australian Powerball draw takes place every week on a Thursday at 8.30pm (AEST). Ever since March 2013, the structure of the game has been as follows:
- One set of six numbers are drawn from a pool of balls, numbered 1-40 (inclusive).
- A ‘Powerball’ is drawn from another pool of balls, numbered 1-20 (inclusive).
- For a player, a standard game includes selecting six regular numbers and one ‘Powerball’ number.
In order to partake in the draw, a player must purchase a minimum of four standard games.
How to play Powerball
Players can participate in this lottery via several different methods, including purchasing standard game tickets, system entries, PowerHit tickets, Super Combo tickets and syndicate (group) entries.
Standard ticket – Fill a standard ticket of at least four games, selecting six numbers and a ‘Powerball’ for each game you buy.
PowerHit ticket – PowerHit tickets play every ‘Powerball’ number from 1 through to 20, so you are guaranteed to hit the ‘Powerball’.
System entry – Covers all possible entry combinations of the numbers you choose, significantly bettering your odds of winning.
Super Combo – Enter an assortment of different number combinations. However, this entry does not cover all combinations like a system ticket.
Syndicates – Join a group of other Powerball players and cover multiple differing number combinations of system entries. Share the cost of participation and split the winnings.
Powerball divisions
There are eight different Powerball winning divisions, with Division 1 holding the longest odds, but paying out the most amount of money.
The eight division classifications and their odds of being won (based on 12 games) are as follows:
- Division 1: match six numbers and the ‘Powerball’ – 6,397,300:1
- Division 2: match six numbers – 336,700:1
- Division 3: match five numbers and the ‘Powerball’ – 31,360:1
- Division 4: match five numbers – 1,651:1
- Division 5: match four numbers and the ‘Powerball’ – 761:1
- Division 6: match three numbers and the ‘Powerball’ – 54:1
- Division 7: match four numbers – 40:1
- Division 8: match two numbers and the ‘Powerball’ – 10:1
Big win records
Powerball has a history of paying out some gigantic wins in recent history, with the largest ever payout an astonishing
- In March 2007, the Division 1 prize pool of $33,000,000 was won.
- In June 2008, the Division 1 prize pool of $58,737,207 was won.
- In July 2009, the Division 1 prize pool of $80,000,000 was shared among multiple winners.
- In August 2014, the Division 1 prize pool of $70,000,000 was shared evenly among two winners.
The Division 1 prize is always advertised online at OzLotteries.com, along with when the draw closes (one hour prior to the draw).
Where to play Powerball and how to buy tickets
Players from not only Australia, but those from around the world whom are interested in partaking in this weekly lotto draw can purchase an array of tickets from Oz Lotteries – the exclusive online distributor of Australian lottery products, operating under strict government supervision, and a registered sales agent for NSW Lotteries, Tattersalls and SA Lotteries.
You can purchase all the tickets described above, and join online syndicate groups to decrease your outlay and at the same time, cover more number combinations.
Select from an array of Australian-friendly online banking methods to deposit and withdraw money to and from your online account, including credit and debit cards, e-wallets, pre-paid cards and vouchers and direct bank transfers. All financial transactions are protected with a minimum of 128-bit SSL digital encryption technology, so all personal details are 100 per cent safeguarded.
Contact PowerballLotto.com.au
If you have any queries or questions relating to Powerball, feel free to send us an email at [email protected] and we will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible. This site is dedicated to the Australian game of Powerball, and details all the rules, history, payouts, odds, winning systems and other aspects associated with game in an easy-to-understand format. We hope you enjoy browsing the site.