Powerball, one of the biggest lotteries in the U.S., was launched in 1992 as a rebrand of Lotto America by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). It introduced a unique two-drum system to improve winning odds and grew rapidly as more states joined. Major changes, like the introduction of Power Play in 2001 and a ticket price increase to $2 in 2012, led to record-breaking jackpots, including the world’s largest—$2.04 billion in 2022. Powerball draws occur every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, with players selecting five numbers (1–69) and a Powerball (1–26). The game remains a global phenomenon, offering massive prizes and life-changing opportunities.
To play USA Powerball, select five numbers from a pool of 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26. Players can choose their own numbers or use the quick pick option for randomly generated numbers. Tickets must be purchased before the draw, which takes place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET. To win the jackpot, all six numbers must match the drawn numbers, but there are multiple prize tiers for partial matches. Players can also add the Power Play option to multiply non-jackpot winnings by up to 10 times, increasing their potential prize.
The biggest USA Powerball winner to date is Edwin Castro, who won a record-breaking $2.04 billion jackpot on November 7, 2022. The winning ticket was sold in Altadena, California. Castro opted for the lump sum payout of approximately $997.6 million before taxes. Despite his sudden wealth, he chose to maintain privacy and only released a brief statement expressing gratitude for the win and support for California’s public education system, which benefits from lottery revenue. This remains the largest jackpot ever won in Powerball history.
