Powerball Expands to United Kingdom, Opening International Jackpot Access

British players will gain access to Powerball drawings beginning this week following a landmark agreement between the Multi-State Lottery Association and Allwyn UK. The expansion represents a historic milestone for the American lottery game, as it marks the first instance of an international jurisdiction contributing directly to the Powerball jackpot pool. Wednesday night’s drawing will be the inaugural event available to U.K. participants.

Under the arrangement first disclosed in April, British lottery enthusiasts will compete for the same jackpots as American players, though with identical long odds of 1 in 292.2 million. The entry of U.K. players is expected to accelerate jackpot growth, potentially spurring increased ticket sales as larger prize pools attract additional participants across both nations. Powerball tickets will cost $2 in both markets.

The structural differences between markets will create distinct prize experiences for international participants. U.K. residents will see their ticket purchases directed solely toward the jackpot rather than lower-tier prizes, with a separate prize structure applying domestically. Additionally, British winners receiving the jackpot will receive payments distributed over 30 years, whereas U.S. winners typically choose between annuities or cash payouts, with most selecting lump sums.

The most significant Powerball payout on record reached just over $2 billion from a California ticket in 2022. Powerball operates across 45 U.S. states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with drawings held Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Players select five numbers from 1 to 69 plus one red Powerball number from 1 to 26.