United Kingdom lottery players will soon participate for massive billion-dollar jackpots

By Kate Northrop

The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and the UK National Lottery have jointly announced that the US-based Powerball multi-state lottery game will be expanding to the UK.

It's official: Powerball is growing beyond North America into the United Kingdom, where lottery players overseas will soon have the opportunity to play for the billion-dollar jackpots that only US lottery players have traditionally had access to.

MUSL made a historic agreement with Allwyn UK, the operator of the UK National Lottery, that will increase the number of participating lotteries in the Powerball multi-state game from 48 to 49.

This is the very first time a non-US lottery will contribute to a US-based lottery jackpot, perhaps inviting a new alternative to Powerball's definition as a "multi-state" game.

MUSL and Allwyn said they expect that the addition of the UK player population will encourage Powerball jackpots to grow more quickly without altering core game features, rules, odds, and ticket prices that US players value.

"This partnership expands the player base in a way that benefits every jurisdiction participating in Powerball," Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO Matt Strawn said in a press release. "This is a win for Powerball players — as more people play, the faster jackpots grow, all while keeping odds the same for every Powerball drawing, wherever a player buys their $2 ticket."

"We're delighted to be joining the Powerball community," Allwyn UK CEO Andria Vidler said in a statement. "Our ambition is to bring more games, more innovation and more excitement to The UK National Lottery — and it doesn't get more exciting than Powerball, with its transformative jackpots and life-changing contribution to good causes."

Expanding the game to the UK was also motivated by MUSL's desire to strengthen its "long-term sustainability" and the "good causes it supports." According to MUSL, more than half of every $2 Powerball ticket stays in the jurisdiction where it is sold, which is funneled to different public programs and services determined at the state level.

Powerball alone has generated about $38 billion for good causes, education, scholarships, veteran services, parks and recreation, and other public programs, MUSL said.

"For decades, Powerball proceeds have provided real benefits to Americans, year after year. This will not change," Strawn added. "This summer's expansion to the UK helps secure the game's future as a dependable source of funding for the public programs and services our players care about."

US state lotteries and the UK National Lottery will pool funds only for the Powerball jackpot, not lower-tier prizes. Tickets purchased in the UK will contribute the same fixed US dollar amount per play to the jackpot pool as tickets purchased in the US, the only difference being that UK players will have a different lower-tier prize structure and payouts.

The biggest difference is that jackpot winners in the UK will not have the option of claiming the jackpot as a lump sum, rather it will be paid out over 30 years "to ensure the amount received is much higher than if the same prize was offered as an upfront, one-off payment," the National Lottery explained.

"As well as offering the winner a higher overall prize, this provides a steady, reliable income over many years, helping to support long-term financial security," the National Lottery continued.

There are no other discernable game changes to how Powerball is played in the US. The US prize structure will remain the same. Players from all jurisdictions will continue to pick five white ball numbers from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26 with unchanged odds of 1 in 292.2 million odds at winning the jackpot.

The UK National Lottery will be required to abide by the same security standards and compliance policies as US lotteries, MUSL advised.

The UK Gambling Commission is expected to give final regulatory approval soon, in time for the Powerball game to begin operating in the UK later this summer. UK players will have the option of buying tickets either in person at retailers or online via the National Lottery's website and app. Players can select their own numbers or opt for a Lucky Dip (Quick Pick).

UK players will have to purchase their tickets by 11:55 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Drawings will continue to take place in the US every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at around 4:00 a.m. UK time, the National Lottery said.

Tickets in the UK will cost £4 each, with purchases available up to 4 weeks in advance.

UK-only Powerball Prize Structure

The following prizes are what UK lottery players will be paid out for tickets purchased in that country. US lottery players will continue with the same prize structure offered today.