The world's biggest jackpot game is coming to the UK this month, giving players the chance to win a whopping £300 million. The Powerball jackpot is currently estimated at $416 million (£311 million) and continues to roll until the UK launch.
Launch Date and Ticket Sales
The National Lottery’s Powerball will see UK players pay £4 per line to compete with their US counterparts to win the shared jackpot of more than £1 billion, which will be paid out over 30 years. Operator Allwyn said players will be able to buy tickets from July 21, subject to final regulatory approval, and UK players will be in with a chance to win it in the opening draw on July 23. It will be the first time the game has operated outside of the US and will offer uncapped jackpots starting at £12 million, which could go into the billions.
Unique UK Prize Tiers
The UK game features an extra "match two main numbers" prize tier, which is only available to UK players and offers a fixed prize of £8. The "match five main numbers" tier also offers a fixed prize of £1 million, while all other UK prize tiers will vary depending on the balls drawn and the number of winners.
Lotto Overhaul and Impact
Powerball follows the National Lottery's biggest overhaul to its draw-based Lotto game since its launch in 1994, with players being given two chances to win for every £2 ticket. The change, which was rolled out from June 7, is expected to more than double the number of Lotto millionaires – from around 140 a year to about 345.
CEO Statement
Allwyn CEO Andria Vidler said: “We’re excited to give National Lottery players the chance to dream bigger while supporting thousands of good cause projects across the UK every week. Powerball jackpots can soar into the billions, offering breathtaking sums with the potential to transform lives and communities. As we begin the countdown to the first draw later this month, you won’t be able to miss Powerball’s arrival with a major launch lined up. We’re encouraging players to get involved when tickets go on sale and we’ll be crossing our fingers for our first UK winner.”
