Powerball Power Play Variable Multiplier to Return in January
Advance Play Options to Taper Temporarily
Middletown – The Powerball Power Play® variable prize multiplier will return starting with the Jan. 22, 2014, drawing, the Pennsylvania Lottery said today.
Under new game rules, a separate drawing will be performed to select the Power Play number – a 2, 3, 4 or 5 – for all prizes except the jackpot and the Match 5 prize. The Match 5 prize is $2 million if the Power Play option is purchased.
“The return of the Power Play variable multiplier is expected to be popular with our Powerball players,” said Lottery Executive Director Todd Rucci.
The multi-state Powerball game previously used a variable multiplier for Power Play, but a set lower-tier prize structure was adopted in January 2012.
Because of the upcoming change, advance-play sales for Powerball will start to taper after the Wednesday, Oct. 23, drawing. The number of advance plays available for purchase will decrease by one after each drawing until the new game configuration begins in January.
After the Jan. 18 Powerball drawing, players will again be able to purchase up to 13 weeks (26 draws) of advance-play tickets.
Powerball’s ticket price will remain $2, and the price of purchasing the Power Play option will remain unchanged at $1.
How to play Powerball (currently): Players pay $2 and select five white balls from the first set of 59 numbers plus a single red ball, the Powerball, from a second set of 35 numbers. Players may select their own numbers using a Powerball playslip, or they may opt for computer-selected quick picks. Players must match all five numbers drawn plus the Powerball number to win the jackpot. There also are eight additional ways for players to win a cash prize. The $1 Power Play option allows a winner to increase non-jackpot prizes. The Match 5+0 prize with Power Play option is worth $2 million.
Powerball tickets are sold in 43 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
About the Pennsylvania Lottery: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that designates all its proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since its inception in 1971, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed nearly $23.7 billion to programs that include property tax and rent rebates; free transit and reduced-fare shared rides; the low-cost prescription drug programs PACE and PACENET; long-term living services; and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including full- and part-time senior centers throughout the state.
The Pennsylvania Lottery reminds its players to play responsibly. Players must be 18 or older.
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