The US Powerball lottery will introduce some changes to its rules on January 22nd, 2014, when the powerhouse lottery will be turning its Power Play option into a random multiplier (x2-x5) that will be determined during every draw.
Today’s Power Play option
The US Powerball lottery offers players the option to add the Power Play option on their tickets, at an additional cost. In the current setup, the Power Play increases the amount of money won in all categories but the jackpot by fixed amounts – in the way described below:
| Divisions | Match | Payout per Winner | Power Play – Current Payout | Current Multiplier |
| 1st Prize | 5+PB | Jackpot | Jackpot (unchanged) | None |
| 2nd Prize | 5 | US$1.000.000 | US$2.000.000 | x2 |
| 3rd Prize | 4+PB | US$10.000 | US$40.000 | x4 |
| 4th Prize | 4 | US$100 | US$200 | x2 |
| 5th Prize | 3+PB | US$100 | US$200 | x2 |
| 6th Prize | 3 | US$7 | US$14 | x2 |
| 7th Prize | 2+PB | US$7 | US$14 | x2 |
| 8th Prize | 1+PB | US$4 | US$12 | x3 |
| 9th Prize | 0+PB | US$4 | US$12 | x3 |
What will change in January 2014
The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) announced the re-introduction of the Power Play as a ‘random multiplier’, which will allow all non-jackpot and non-Match 5 prizes (prize divisions 3 throuh 9) to be multiplied by either x2, x3, x4, or x5, depending on the multiplier number that will be drawn as part of Powerball’s Wednesday and Saturday draws.
What Will Remain the Same?
- Match 5’s prize will remain doubled under Power Play ($2,000,000 instead of $1,000,000)
- Jackpots will not be unaffected by Power Play and can not be multiplied
- The cost of tickets and the cost of the Power Play option will remain unchanged
- The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot or any of its secondary prize categories will not be affected
Powerball changes following Mega Millions October 2013 changes
The changes the US Powerball lottery announced, are yet another move in the ongoing tug-of-war between the two leading American lotteries, Mega Millions and US Powerball, as they continue to battle over the affection of the American lottery fans. By introducing this change to the Power Play mechanism, the Powerball Power Play is now Mega Millions’ Megaplier’s equal, both in terms of pricing and reward. As US Powerball and Mega Millions continue to battle each other, the future is looking bright for the true winner – the lotto fan!
