New Zealand Powerball

New Zealand Powerball is very similar to Australian Powerball in that players need to match 6 main numbers as well as one Powerball. Both games are derived from the original American Powerball. However, there are some differences which result in the Kiwi version having much better odds of winning the jackpot. The odds of winning the Kiwi Powerball jackpot are 1 in 38 million. This is compared to 1 in 76 million for Australian Powerball and 1 in 292 million for US Powerball.

There is a generous guaranteed minimum jackpot of $5 million (approx. $4.8 million) which rolls over if it’s not won, and is capped at $40 million. If the jackpot is not won when it reaches $40 million, a ‘must be won’ draw is held and if it’s still not won the prize money rolls down to winning tickets in division 2. Due to the prize cap, NZ Powerball’s record jackpot win is $40 million awarded in 2016.

How to Play

For Powerball, numbers are drawn from two machines. The first machine contains 40 balls numbered from 1 to 40 of which six balls are drawn. Another machine contains 10 ‘Powerballs’ numbered from 1 to 10 of which one ball is drawn. In a standard game, players choose six numbers from the first range of 1 to 40 and one Powerball number from the second range of 1 to 20. To win the jackpot, a player must correctly guess all six standard numbers as well as the Powerball. There is also a bonus ball drawn which counts towards prizes from division 2 onward.

Taxes

Prizes are paid tax-free.

Odds of Winning

Odds of winning a prize are 1 in 352, and the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 38,383,800.

You can play NZ Powerball at www.thelotter.com