Yes, Powerball tickets are sold in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts State Lottery began offering Powerball tickets in 2010 when the multi-state lottery game expanded to include more states across the country.
Powerball is one of the most popular and widely known lottery games in the United States. It is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association and players in 45 states, as well as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, can purchase Powerball tickets. Powerball offers large, multi-million dollar jackpots that continue to grow until there is a winner, making the game highly attractive to lottery players across the participating regions.
In 2009, Powerball underwent some significant changes, including an increase in the cost per ticket from $1 to $2, an increase in the minimum jackpot from $15 million to $40 million, and the addition of the Power Play multiplier feature. These changes were made partly to increase excitement and interest in the game, allowing the jackpots to grow larger more quickly. The changes also allowed Powerball to expand into new states, as many state lotteries were eager to start offering tickets for the revamped game.
Massachusetts was one of the states that began selling Powerball tickets after the 2009 modifications. Powerball tickets officially went on sale in Massachusetts on January 3, 2010, when the state joined the Powerball network. Since then, Bay State residents have had the opportunity to play one of the biggest multi-state lottery games in the country right at home.
Where to Buy Powerball Tickets in Massachusetts
There are thousands of retail locations across Massachusetts where you can purchase Powerball tickets. Some of the most common places to buy Powerball tickets in Massachusetts include:
- Convenience stores
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Liquor stores
- Newsstands
- Pharmacies
You can find Powerball tickets at convenience store chains like 7-Eleven, Cumbies, Mobile, and Pride. Gas station chains like Speedway, Gulf, and Sunoco also tend to carry Powerball tickets. In grocery stores, you’ll often find Powerball tickets sold at customer service desks.
Some other large retailers that may offer Powerball tickets include big box stores like Walmart, pharmacy chains like CVS, and large liquor store chains. You can generally find Powerball tickets readily available at most shops and retailers that already sell other Massachusetts State Lottery games.
Along with in-person ticket sales, you can also purchase Powerball tickets online in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts State Lottery allows ticket purchases through its website as long as you are a Massachusetts resident and register an account. You can use the lottery’s website or mobile app to conveniently buy Powerball tickets online.
Powerball Ticket Sales in Massachusetts
Powerball has grown into one of the most popular lottery offerings since ticket sales began in Massachusetts in 2010. Here are some key stats about Powerball ticket sales in Massachusetts:
- Over $1 billion in Powerball tickets were sold in Massachusetts between 2010 and 2015.
- The single largest Powerball jackpot won in Massachusetts was $758.7 million split by the Chicopee 20 ticket holders in 2017.
- The record for Powerball ticket sales for a single drawing in Massachusetts is $13.97 million.
- $contextmanager million in prizes have been won playing Powerball in Massachusetts through February 2023.
- An estimated $1.2 billion Powerball tickets were sold in Massachusetts just in 2022.
These figures demonstrate how popular Powerball has become in Massachusetts in the 13 years since ticket sales began. With massive jackpots frequently available, and a number of winners from Massachusetts, it’s no surprise that Powerball ticket sales continue to be strong year after year.
Noteworthy Powerball Wins in Massachusetts
There have been several huge Powerball jackpot wins in Massachusetts since 2010:
- August 2017 – $758.7 million – The biggest Powerball jackpot won in Massachusetts was a $758.7 million prize split between 20 IT workers from Chicopee in August 2017. Each ticket holder took home over $19 million after taxes on the lump sum cash option.
- May 2013 – $228 million – An 82-year-old man from Quincy won a $228 million Powerball jackpot in May 2013. It stood as the largest lottery prize ever won by a single ticket in Massachusetts until the 2017 Chicopee win.
- February 2012 – $217 million – A retired couple from Longmeadow purchased a Quick Pick ticket that hit a $217 million Powerball prize in February 2012.
Beyond these very large winners, there have been countless more Massachusetts residents who have won smaller, yet still substantial Powerball prizes over the years. With the game’s life-changing jackpots, it’s no wonder locals continue to purchase their Powerball tickets each week.
How to Play Powerball in Massachusetts
Playing Powerball in Massachusetts follows the same straightforward rules used across all participating Powerball states:
- Choose five main numbers between 1-69.
- Choose one Powerball number between 1-26.
- Match all six numbers to win the jackpot.
- Lesser prizes are won for matching some numbers.
- Add Power Play for a chance to multiply non-jackpot winnings.
Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased up until 10:00 p.m. on draw nights.
It costs $2 per Powerball play in Massachusetts. You can multiply your lower-tier winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x if you add the Power Play option for an additional $1 per play. Jackpots start at a guaranteed $40 million and continue growing until there is a winner.
Buying Powerball Tickets Online in Massachusetts
For added convenience, you can purchase MA Powerball tickets online using the Massachusetts State Lottery’s website or mobile app. To buy tickets online, you must:
- Be located within Massachusetts state lines
- Create an account with the lottery
- Add funds to your account wallet
- Select the Powerball drawing you wish to play
- Choose your numbers or use Quick Pick
- Confirm your ticket purchase
Purchasing official Powerball tickets online provides the ease of playing without having to visit local retailers. Your ticket will be generated and securely stored online. If you win a prize, the lottery will directly deposit your winnings.
Key Advantages of Playing Powerball in Massachusetts
There are several advantages to playing Powerball in Massachusetts compared to other states:
- Frequent winners – Massachusetts has had many major jackpot and lower-tier winners.
- Large population – With 7 million potential players, jackpots grow quickly in MA.
- Anonymity – MA allows trust claims to keep winner identities private.
- Online play – Powerball tickets can be purchased online in Massachusetts.
- No state taxes – MA does not tax state lottery winnings.
With the lottery’s popularity and past big winners, Massachusetts is one of the best states to play Powerball based on historical data. The state also offers perks like privacy protection and lack of taxes on prizes for local lottery winners.
Powerball Odds and Probabilities
The odds of winning any Powerball prize, including the jackpot, are as follows:
| Prize Level | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|
| Jackpot | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| $1 million (5 numbers) | 1 in 11,688,053.5 |
| $50,000 (4 numbers + PB) | 1 in 913,129 |
| $100 (4 numbers) | 1 in 36,525 |
| $100 (3 numbers + PB) | 1 in 14,494 |
| $7 (3 numbers) | 1 in 579 |
| $4 (2 numbers + PB) | 1 in 701 |
| $4 (1 number + PB) | 1 in 92 |
| $4 (PB only) | 1 in 38 |
As you can see, matching all six numbers for the jackpot is exceedingly rare. However, the chances of winning any prize, even just $4 for the Powerball, is a reasonable 1 in 24.9. The odds are in favor of most players winning something over the course of playing regularly.
Strategies for Playing Powerball
There is no way to predict or influence the numbers that will be drawn in Powerball. However, there are some strategies players use to maximize their chances:
- Buy multiple tickets – More tickets equals more chances to win.
- Join an office pool – Splitting tickets with others can improve odds.
- Use Quick Pick – Letting the computer randomly pick halves the odds of duplicating numbers.
- Cover common numbers – Choose popular picks like birthdays.
- Balanced selection – Mix high, low, and mid-range numbers.
- Avoid patterns – Don’t pick consecutive numbers or shapes.
Following these tips can maximize your exposure to the different number combinations that could come up in a drawing. Of course, Powerball ultimately comes down to random luck, but using some strategy can help increase your chances versus quick picking the same numbers each time.
Resources for Massachusetts Powerball Players
Here are some useful resources for Massachusetts residents playing Powerball:
- Official MA Lottery Website – Buy tickets, check results, join loyalty programs, etc.
- MA Lottery Mobile App – Purchase tickets, scan codes, and more on your phone.
- Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling – Get help for problem gambling issues.
- MA Lottery Facebook – Interact with other players and fans.
- Lottery Post Massachusetts Forum – Discuss MA lottery games and strategy.
The Massachusetts State Lottery provides helpful online tools for local players. There are also many third-party websites focused on the MA lottery, strategy discussion, results, and news. Responsible gambling resources are available for those who need assistance.
How Winnings Are Taxed in Massachusetts
One of the best perks of winning the lottery in Massachusetts is that state lottery prizes are not taxed. Mega Millions, Powerball, and all other MA lottery games are exempt from state income taxes.
However, note that as Powerball is a national game, it is subject to federal income taxes. The federal tax rate on lottery winnings is 24% for the top tax bracket. Taxes are withheld immediately for jackpot prizes, but players must pay applicable taxes themselves later for smaller prizes.
For context, if someone in Massachusetts won a $100 million Powerball jackpot, they would owe about $24 million in federal taxes. This would reduce the lump sum cash option of $548.6 million down to around $524 million after taxes.
Massachusetts does not allow lottery winners to remain anonymous for jackpots over $10,000. However, winners can claim prizes through a trust to keep their identities private. This may involve some additional expenses and legal assistance.
The Future of Powerball in Massachusetts
Looking ahead, Powerball will likely continue growing in popularity across the country, including in Massachusetts. With massive jackpots frequently topping $500 million, fewer people seem deterred by the long odds. Social media and increased national attention on record jackpots also drive interest and ticket sales.
In the future, the Multi-State Lottery Association may consider changes to Powerball to keep people enthusiastic. Possibilities include adding a third weekly drawing, increasing jackpot rollover speeds, introducing a new prize tier, or tweaking the game matrix.
Massachusetts lottery officials will also keep looking for ways to maximize Powerball participation through targeted marketing and innovative methods of ticket sales. offering players more ways to conveniently purchase tickets both online and in-person.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Powerball lottery start in Massachusetts?
Powerball began sales in Massachusetts on January 3, 2010. The MA lottery joined after a major revamp of Powerball in 2009 with larger jackpots.
What time is the Powerball drawing in MA?
Powerball drawings are held three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights at 10:59 p.m. ET.
Can you buy Powerball tickets online in Massachusetts?
Yes, you can purchase official MA Powerball tickets online through the Massachusetts State Lottery website and mobile app if you register an account.
What is the biggest Powerball jackpot won in Massachusetts?
The largest Powerball prize won in MA was a $758.7 million jackpot split by 20 winners from Chicopee in August 2017. Each received a $19 million share after taxes.
How old do you have to be to play Powerball in Massachusetts?
You must be 18 years or older to legally purchase Powerball tickets in Massachusetts.
What are the odds of winning Powerball?
The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9. The jackpot odds are 1 in 292 million. Lower tier prizes have odds from 1 in 701 to 1 in 11 million.
How much are Powerball tickets in MA?
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play in Massachusetts. You can also add Power Play for $1 more per ticket to increase non-jackpot prizes.
Conclusion
In summary, Powerball lottery tickets are readily available at thousands of retailers across Massachusetts, having officially launched in 2010. Residents can also buy tickets online. There have been several noteworthy MA winners over the years, including a $758 million jackpot split in Chicopee. While the odds of hitting the jackpot are extremely long, strategic play can help increase your chances of lower tier prizes. With its life-changing prizes and frequent drawings, Powerball will continue its popularity as a major lottery game option for Massachusetts players.
