PowerBall FAQ
How to Play: All info at one glance
What is PowerBall?
The PowerBall lottery comes from the USA and offers players one of the largest jackpots in the world. The jackpots always start at an impressive 20 million $, compared to approx. 1 million € that german lotto offers at the beginning of a jackpot phase, and the winning sum can grow indefinitely, since there is no fixed upper limit to the jackpot. The bet is based on 5 out of 69 numbers and an additional number from 1 to 26. This means that there are overall more combinations than with the German LOTTO 6aus49.
The US lottery with its unlimited jackpots is regularly covered by newspapers and news in this Germany and around the world, especially when the jackpot rises to hundreds of millions or even billions! Twice a week you now have the chance to go on the exciting jackpot hunt from Germany. The draws always take place on Thursdays and Sundays in the morning. The Powerball acceptance deadline is midnight at the beginning of the day. Around 5 o'clock in the morning the new PowerBall Results & Numbers are announced.
How to Play Powerball: Game Rules“
In Powerball, the game formula is '5 plus 1'. Players select 5 numbers from a pool of 69, and then choose a PowerBall number from 1 to 26. The PowerBall acts as the additional number, which gives the game its name. Along with the 5 main numbers, it determines entry into the first prize tier, where the massive jackpot awaits.
How to fill out the Powerball play slip
At Lottohelden.com, the Powerball play slip offers plenty of space with 10 fields for your personal lucky numbers. For each field, you select 5 main numbers at the top and choose your favorite PowerBall number below. Of course, you can also use the Quick Pick feature to generate random numbers for any number of fields. Then, it’s time to cross your fingers! With '6 Correct Numbers', you’ll reach the highest prize tier!
Cost: How much does it cost to play PowerBall?
A single entry for the US lottery PowerBall costs just €3 per play slip. The price includes all possible ticket fees, so there are no additional costs. Depending on the number of play fields and the desired duration, the total cost may increase. The total amount due will be displayed below the play slip at checkout.
Duration: How long is a PowerBall play slip active?
You have full control over the duration and the draw days for your Powerball entry. With just one click, you can choose to play on Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday, or all three draws. You can also select a specific draw as your starting point and backdate your slip. Using the 'Weekly Duration' field, you can decide how long your play slip should remain active. This allows you to create a multi-week entry for up to 8 weeks in a row.
Subscription: How do I submit a PowerBall subscription ticket?
We also offer a PowerBall subscription play. With this option, your bet automatically renews every four weeks – for as long as you want! To activate the subscription, simply click 'YES' on the play slip under 'Subscription'. However, if you prefer to play only when the PowerBall jackpot is massive, you can activate the 'Jackpot Cracker'. This smart subscription play ends automatically once the jackpot is won.
Cutoff time: Until when can I submit my PowerBall play slip?
To ensure you can follow the early morning draws with Lottohelden.com, we’ve made the PowerBall cutoff time especially convenient. You have until 12:00 AM to submit your number prediction for the upcoming morning draw. Once your play slip is successfully submitted, you will receive a confirmation email with your play receipt.
Draw: When are the PowerBall winning numbers drawn?
The winning numbers for PowerBall are drawn in Tallahassee, Florida, the Sunshine State. The drawing of the combinations is supervised independently and takes place around 5 AM Central European Time. If you don't want to stay up that late, leave it to us: we will send a winning notification to all winners immediately after the draw.
Odds of Winning: What are the chances in PowerBall?
The odds of winning the PowerBall jackpot are 1 in 292 million, which is about half the chances of winning the German lottery. However, the jackpot in the US lottery is guaranteed to contain at least 40 times more in every draw. Additionally, the bar for a first win is lower. You can win with just '1 correct number plus PowerBall' or even just with the PowerBall. Below is an overview of all PowerBall odds of winning.
Prize Tiers: What can I win in PowerBall?
PowerBall features a total of 9 prize tiers for payouts. The top tier is reserved for the grand prize, with the prize amount based on the current jackpot. In prize tiers 2 through 9, guaranteed prize amounts are awarded. Exclusively at Lottohelden.com, we have rounded up the amounts and pay out winnings in Euros instead of US Dollars. You can find a detailed table of all prize amounts below PowerBall Quoten.
Win more: How can I improve my chances in PowerBall?
By playing multiple lines, you cover a larger range of numbers and increase your chances of hitting a winning combination. Of course, this also increases the stakes, which is why many players team up to share the bets (and, most importantly, the winnings). On Lottohelden.com, you can easily create a lottery syndicate.
Record: How high can the PowerBall jackpot go?
Since the PowerBall jackpot has no upper limit, it continues to grow until a player correctly guesses the numbers. Often, the first prize (Tier 1) reaches several hundred million US dollars. However, the highest PowerBall jackpot to date reached even greater heights in 2022: it soared to an incredible 2 billion dollars, setting a world record – closely followed by the US lottery MegaMillions](/megamillions/)!
Payout: What to do if you win PowerBall?
Your intuition for the right lottery numbers didn’t let you down? Congratulations! Whether it’s one, two, or many hits – we’ll take care of the smooth payout process for you. No need to travel to the States; your winnings will be sent directly to you. We’ll pay them out automatically – and even directly to your personal bank account if you prefer!
Jackpot win! PowerBall jackpot won – what’s next?
Jackpot Winner! The PowerBall jackpot payout is made in Euros and follows the guidelines of the US lottery. The payout is either a 30-year annuity or a lump sum. Depending on the payout option, one-time deductions may apply. For more information, please refer to the Lottohelden Terms and Conditions.
Taxes: Do PowerBall winnings need to be taxed?
Lottery winnings are generally tax-free in Germany, meaning no taxes are due to the tax office. Only capital gains are taxable. This also applies to your PowerBall winnings in tiers 4 to 9. Only the top prize tiers are subject to the same deductions as those in the US. Lottohelden.com handles the entire payout process.
Add-on: What is PowerBall PowerPlay?
With the PowerPlay add-on, you have the chance to multiply your winnings in PowerBall tiers 2 to 9. During each PowerBall draw, a PowerPlay number is selected, and your prize is multiplied by this number. This increases your winnings by a factor of 2, 3, 4, or 5. If the jackpot is still under $150 million, a 10x multiplier is even possible. In tier 2, the payout amount is always doubled, regardless of the multiplier.
History: When did PowerBall start?
PowerBall has long been a classic in the US, just as popular as the EuroJackpot is in Germany. The US lottery was introduced in 1987 by the Multi-State Lottery Association and is now played in nearly all states, as well as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. And now, more and more lottery fans in Europe are eyeing the gigantic jackpots.
Legal: Can I play PowerBall in Germany?
Yes, and it's especially convenient online! Since 2012, online lottery has been legal again in Germany. With Lottohelden.com, we offer you the chance to place your bet on the winning numbers of the US PowerBall lottery directly from your home PC or smartphone. The odds are the same as in the US, but the prizes can be even higher.