March 26, 2020 – Per the national Powerball® Product Group announcement on March 25, 2020, the game will change following the next Grand Prize win. The Powerball Product Group stated that these changes will ensure the game continues to support good causes in all 48 U.S. lottery jurisdictions.
The changes to Powerball will be:
- Starting jackpot will reset to a guaranteed $20 million (annuity)
- Minimum roll increases of $2 million between drawings
“With all the changes we have all had to make in our lives and businesses, this is another change we will roll with and get through together,” said Jon Clontz, WyoLotto CEO.
“Powerball players in many U.S. lottery jurisdictions are under shelter-in-place orders or recommendations from their governors or mayors, which have affected normal consumer behaviors,” said Gregory Mineo, Powerball Product Group Chairman and Maine Lottery Director. “Just like other enterprises around the world that are making adjustments, we are making proactive changes to continue to offer the world’s premier lottery product.”
On March 25, 2020, the advertised jackpot was a guaranteed $150 million; $114.8 million cash value. If the jackpot was won on March 25, 2020 drawing, the jackpot would have reset to a guaranteed $20 million (annuity) for the Saturday, March 28 drawing with minimum jackpot roll increases of $2 million between drawings. Because the jackpot was not won, the jackpot grew to an estimated $160 million (annuity).
“We appreciate our players, retailers and supporters, and these changes come with tough times we are facing in this country. We want to keep this great game going, and we will continue to be here, offering optimism, entertainment and a chance to win millions to Wyoming lottery players,” Clontz said.
Powerball is sold at more than 440 retailers throughout the state of Wyoming. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remains in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold.