Powerball Changes Coming Sunday Include New Matrix, More Winning Experiences and 10X Power Play Multiplier!

This Sunday, Oct. 4, the multistate Lottery game Powerball welcomes a new game matrix designed to create larger average jackpots and more winning experiences. Those who add the $1 Power Play option will have the opportunity to multiply their nonjackpot prize up to 10 times whenever Powerball's advertised annuity jackpot is $150 million or less. That will be the case for the first drawing under the new game design on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

To produce the added player benefits, 10 numbers will be added to the field of white-ball numbers for a total of 69 and nine Powerball numbers will be removed for a total of 26. These game matrix changes result in longer odds of winning the jackpot, which will go from 1 in 175.2 million to 1 in 292.2 million; however, the odds of winning any prize will improve from 1 in 32 to 1 in 25.

"The last time Powerball's matrix changed was in 2012," explained Louisiana Lottery President Rose Hudson. "Since then, the game’s playing population has grown to include 47 lottery jurisdictions, and jackpots are consequently hit faster. This change will help produce those eye-popping jackpots that players have come to expect with Powerball, while also providing more significant winning experiences and a twist to Power Play."

While most of the prize levels remain the same, the $10,000 prize for matching four white-ball numbers plus the red Powerball number will jump to $50,000.

Power Play, the $1 add-on option to Powerball, will also include a 10X multiplier anytime the advertised annuity Powerball jackpot is $150 million or less to encourage game interest at lower jackpot levels. In those instances, the 10X will be added to the standard field of multipliers that include two 5Xs, three 4Xs, 13 3Xs and 24 2Xs. Players who purchase Power Play have the chance to multiply prizes from the bottom seven prize tiers by the multiplier randomly selected during the drawing. The prize for matching five white-ball numbers will double to $2 million when Power Play is purchased.

In order to prepare for game changes, the multidraw option that allowed for purchasing advance plays was temporarily suspended. It becomes fully operational again on Oct. 4, when sales start for the new game version. Also, players who regularly use playslips to purchase their tickets must complete a new slip beginning Oct. 4.

Powerball began in April 1992 with starting jackpots of $2 million. The Louisiana Lottery joined the game in March 1995 and has had 15 jackpot winners to date. Live drawings are televised every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m. More information about the new Powerball and Power Play will be on the Lottery's website once the new game goes live and in "How to Play" guides located at Lottery retailers.

Players are advised to sign the back of their tickets for security purposes immediately after purchasing. The Lottery also encourages responsible play and urges anyonewith a gambling problem to call toll-free 1-877-770-7867 for help.