The UK Powerball lottery launch date has been confirmed, with tickets going on sale July 21 and the first draw on July 23. Brits will have a chance to win a potential £1 billion jackpot, the largest prize ever offered in the UK.
Game Details and Odds
National Lottery operator Allwyn announced that the UK offshoot of America's Powerball game will cost £4 per line. Players select five main numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26, or opt for a Lucky Dip. The draw takes place three times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, with results at 4am the following day from Florida.
However, the odds of winning the top prize are extremely long at 1 in 292 million. The game includes a UK-exclusive "match two main numbers" prize tier offering a fixed £8, and a "match five main numbers" tier with a fixed £1 million. To win the jackpot of at least £12 million, players need all five main numbers plus the Powerball.
Jackpot Potential and Good Causes
Unlike other draws, there is no limit on rollovers, allowing jackpots to soar. Allwyn says this paves the way for a UK winner to potentially land £1 billion or more. The game is expected to raise around £1 billion for good causes in the UK over its first five years.
Winners of the top prize receive their winnings over 30 years. For a £1 billion jackpot, that equates to over £30 million annually. If the winner dies, the remainder goes to their estate, according to an Allwyn spokeswoman.
Previous Record Winner
The biggest Powerball winner to date is Edwin Castro, who won over $2 billion (£1.51 billion) in California in November 2022. He opted for a lump sum, reducing the prize to under $1 billion after tax. Castro used his winnings to buy a luxury home in Hollywood Hills, a Japanese-inspired property for his parents, sports cars, and exotic trips. His hometown of Altadena was severely impacted by wildfires last year.
CEO Statement
Andria Vidler, Allwyn chief executive, 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 breath-taking 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.”
