Powerball is a popular multi-state lottery game in the United States. It is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association and draws are held every Wednesday and Saturday night. Powerball is played in 45 states, including Kentucky, as well as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The minimum Powerball jackpot is $40 million, but the jackpots often climb into the hundreds of millions of dollars before a winning ticket is sold. Here is a quick overview of how Powerball works in Kentucky:
How to Play
To play Powerball in Kentucky, players select five white ball numbers between 1 and 69, and one red Powerball number between 1 and 26. Tickets cost $2 per play. Players can multiply non-jackpot prizes by choosing the Power Play option for an additional $1 per play. Players can play up to 10 consecutive draws on one ticket by marking the appropriate number of draws or choosing the “Play 10” option. Tickets can be purchased at any Kentucky Lottery retailer during draw sales hours.
Drawings
Powerball drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The drawings are held at the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Florida. During each drawing, five white balls are drawn from one drum with 69 balls, and the red Powerball is drawn from a second drum with 26 balls.
Prizes and Odds
There are 9 ways to win a Powerball prize in Kentucky:
| Prize Level | Match | Odds (1 in) |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prize | 5 white balls + Powerball | 292,201,338 |
| $1 million | 5 white balls | 11,688,053.5 |
| $50,000 | 4 white balls + Powerball | 913,129 |
| $100 | 4 white balls | 36,525 |
| $100 | 3 white balls + Powerball | 14,494 |
| $7 | 3 white balls | 580 |
| $7 | 2 white balls + Powerball | 703 |
| $4 | 1 white ball + Powerball | 91 |
| $4 | Powerball only | 38 |
The overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are 1 in 24.9. The Power Play option increases the value of non-jackpot prizes. For example, the $1 million second prize would become $2 million with the Power Play.
Jackpots
The minimum Powerball jackpot is $40 million. If no ticket matches all six numbers, the jackpot rolls over and continues growing until it is won. Powerball jackpots start at $40 million, grow by at least $10 million each draw, and are capped at $150 million. Once the advertised jackpot reaches $150 million, any additional funds are put into the jackpot prize pool for the next Powerball draw. The record Powerball jackpot is $1.586 billion shared by three winners in January 2016.
Winning in Kentucky
Kentucky joined Powerball in April 2001. Since then, there have been several notable Powerball wins in the state:
- In May 2008, a ticket sold in Georgetown won a $194 million Powerball jackpot.
- In February 2014, a Louisville truck driver won a $128.6 million Powerball prize.
- In July 2016, a Princeton couple claimed a $136.4 million Powerball jackpot.
- In August 2017, a Munfordville resident won a $758.7 million Powerball prize.
Powerball winners in Kentucky have the choice between a lump sum cash payment or an annuity paid out over 29 years. All prizes over $5,000 are subject to state and federal taxes. Kentucky Lottery winners cannot remain anonymous.
How to Play Powerball in Kentucky
Playing Powerball in Kentucky is easy. Follow these steps when you visit a Kentucky Lottery retailer:
- Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls. You can choose your own numbers or use a playslip to have the terminal randomly select numbers.
- Pick 1 number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.
- Mark the Power Play box for an extra $1 per play to increase non-jackpot prizes.
- Select how many draws/weeks you want to play. You can play up to 10 consecutive draws.
- Pay $2 per play. Each ticket costs $2.
- Check your ticket for accuracy and keep it safe until the drawing.
- Match the winning numbers from the Powerball drawing to win prizes.
You can increase your chances of winning a prize by playing multiple tickets, joining an office pool or lottery syndicate, or choosing number combinations that others are less likely to pick such as:
- Avoid repeating numbers (for example, don’t pick numbers all from one number group like 1-10)
- Avoid sequential numbers (don’t pick numbers in order like 3-4-5-6)
- Avoid identical numbers (no repeating digits like 11-22-33)
- Mix high and low numbers
- Include one or more of the most commonly drawn numbers
However, Powerball numbers are drawn randomly so there is no guaranteed strategy to win the jackpot. Playing more tickets gives you more chances to win, but your odds stay the same.
How to Claim Powerball Prizes in Kentucky
If you win a Powerball prize in Kentucky up to $600, you can claim your prize at any Kentucky Lottery retailer. Follow these steps:
- Present your winning ticket to the cashier within 180 days of the drawing.
- Confirm your name, address, phone number, and date of birth with the retailer.
- The retailer will confirm the win and pay out cash prizes up to $600.
For Powerball prizes over $600 in Kentucky, you will need to claim your prize at Kentucky Lottery headquarters in Louisville or by mail:
- Sign the back of your winning ticket immediately.
- Keep the ticket in a safe place and consider making a copy for your records.
- Call or go to the Kentucky Lottery headquarters within 180 days of the drawing and present your ticket.
- You will fill out a claim form and the Lottery will confirm your win.
- For jackpots over $5,000, you may need to participate in a press conference when claiming your prize.
Powerball winners have the choice between receiving their prize as a one-time lump sum cash payment or as an annuity paid out over 29 years. Note that the advertised jackpot amount is the annuity value. If you choose the cash option, your prize will be significantly lower.
All Powerball prizes in Kentucky are subject to both federal and state taxes. Non-resident winners may have different tax withholdings. Be sure to consult a tax professional about your specific situation when claiming a major lottery prize.
Odds of Winning Powerball in Kentucky
The odds of winning any Powerball prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning each prize level in Kentucky Powerball are:
| Prize Level | Odds |
|---|---|
| Grand Prize Jackpot | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| $1 million (match 5 white balls) | 1 in 11,688,053.5 |
| $50,000 (match 4 white balls + Powerball) | 1 in 913,129 |
| $100 (match 4 white balls) | 1 in 36,525 |
| $100 (match 3 white balls + Powerball) | 1 in 14,494 |
| $7 (match 3 white balls) | 1 in 580 |
| $7 (match 2 white balls + Powerball) | 1 in 702 |
| $4 (match 1 white ball + Powerball) | 1 in 91 |
| $4 (match Powerball only) | 1 in 38 |
As you can see, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are extremely high at 1 in 292 million. However, the odds of winning any prize are a more reasonable 1 in 25. By playing multiple tickets and combining various number strategies, you can improve your chances of winning a smaller Powerball prize. But ultimately, Powerball rewards luck and the jackpot winner is completely unpredictable.
Powerball Drawings in Kentucky
Powerball drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Players in Kentucky can watch the Powerball drawings online via live stream or on television.
Here are ways to view the Powerball drawings in Kentucky:
- Online: Live stream at Powerball.com or the Kentucky Lottery website
- TV: Local Kentucky television stations air the drawings and winning numbers
- Retailers: Watch drawings at select Kentucky lottery retailers
- Mobile app: View drawings via the Kentucky Lottery app
The drawings originate from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Florida. During the drawing, five white balls are selected from a drum with 69 white balls, and then the Powerball (red ball) is selected from a separate drum with 26 red balls.
Kentucky Lottery officials and independent auditors oversee all aspects of the Powerball drawings. Drawings are conducted using certified random number generation equipment that has been tested extensively for fairness and integrity. Each ball is weighed and measured for consistent size and weight. The lottery drawing process is highly secure and monitored.
Players in Kentucky can rest assured that Powerball draws are conducted fairly under tight security and regulations. By watching the Powerball drawings live as they happen, you can follow along and immediately see if you have the winning numbers for that draw.
Weekly Powerball Drawings
Powerball holds two drawings per week, every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Here is an overview of how the weekly drawings work:
- Wednesday: The first weekly drawing of each week is held on Wednesdays. Tickets can be purchased in Kentucky until 9:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday for that night’s drawing.
- Saturday: The second drawing of the week is held on Saturdays. Ticket sales cut off on Saturday at 9:59 p.m. ET for that night’s draw.
- Jackpot resets: If the jackpot is won on Wednesday, it resets to the $40 million minimum for Saturday’s drawing. The Saturday jackpot carries over if not won.
- Rollovers: If no ticket matches all 6 numbers on Wednesday or Saturday, the jackpot rolls over and increases for the next drawing.
- Drawing time: 10:59 p.m. ET every Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball tickets cannot be purchased in Kentucky after the 9:59 p.m. Eastern Time cutoff on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Lottery terminals will not allow ticket sales during the blackout period leading up to the 10:59 p.m. drawing.
By having two drawings per week, the Powerball jackpots can grow bigger faster through rollovers. Players have two chances each week to win the constantly increasing jackpots.
Make sure to buy your Powerball tickets early on drawing days in Kentucky. Double check your tickets after each drawing to see if you matched any winning numbers. And remember that even if the jackpot is won, it will reset and start growing again for the next drawing just a few days away.
Buying Powerball Tickets in Kentucky
Powerball tickets can be purchased easily at lottery retailers across Kentucky. Here are some tips for buying Powerball tickets:
- Find an authorized lottery retailer. There are over 3,000 retailers across Kentucky selling Powerball tickets.
- Locate the red Powerball terminal or ask the cashier for assistance.
- Tell the cashier you want to purchase a Powerball ticket and specify how many plays or Quick Picks you want.
- Specify if you want to add Power Play for an extra $1 per play.
- Pay cash for your ticket. Debit cards may also be accepted.
- Ensure you receive your ticket and Powerball playslip.
- Check that your ticket has the correct date, numbers, and drawings.
- Keep your ticket safe and secure until the drawing.
You can also use the Kentucky Lottery website or mobile app to find the nearest retailer selling Powerball tickets. Major retailers that sell Powerball tickets include gas stations, convenience stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies. Players must be 18 or older to purchase lottery tickets in Kentucky.
When buying tickets, allow enough time before the 9:59 p.m. ET sales cutoff on drawing nights. Don’t wait until the last minute! Retailers stop selling tickets promptly at the deadline.
Remember to sign the back of your ticket once purchased and always double check your numbers. Good luck playing Powerball in Kentucky!
Conclusion
Kentucky Powerball offers residents a chance to win life-changing jackpots starting at $40 million, with drawings held every Wednesday and Saturday night. Players pick 5 numbers from 1-69 and one Powerball from 1-26 for a chance to match the winning numbers. To play, purchase a $2 Powerball ticket from a Kentucky Lottery retailer by the sales cutoff before each drawing. Jackpots grow through rollovers until there’s a winner. Odds of hitting the jackpot are around 1 in 292 million, but other prize levels have better odds. Powerball in Kentucky features big jackpots, convenience of twice-weekly drawings, and excitement of watching the draws live. With some luck, you could become Kentucky’s next multimillion dollar Powerball winner!
