Bigger Jackpot, Better Odds, New Ticket Price
ALBUQUERQUE – In the new year, Powerball will be a new game.
The New Mexico Lottery announced today that the odds and prizes in its most popular drawing game will be improved. Changes taking effect Jan. 15 for Powerball’s Jan. 18 drawing include:
- A higher starting jackpot of $40 million, up from $20 million;
- A $1 million prize for matching five white balls, up from $200,000;
- A $2 million prize for matching five white balls with the $1 Power Play prize multiplier option, up from $1 million;
- A $4 prize for matching the red Powerball, up from $3;
- Better overall odds of 1 in 31.8, down from 1 in 35;
- Better odds to win a jackpot of 1 in 175 million, down from 1 in 195 million.
In order to increase prizes, the price of a ticket will increase from $1 to $2.
“These changes will make Powerball a new game that offers players more opportunities to win bigger prizes,” said Tom Romero, New Mexico Lottery chief executive officer.
Romero said that Mega Millions, Hot Lotto and Roadrunner Cash will continue to be played in New Mexico at the price of $1 per play, per draw.
Powerball is played in 44 lotteries. In June, the lotteries voted to increase prizes.
Powerball in New Mexico
The New Mexico Lottery joined Powerball in 1996. Powerball players in New Mexico have bought $601.5 million in tickets and won $650 million in prizes, including five jackpots and more than 220 prizes ranging between $100,000 and $1 million.
Legislative Lottery Scholarships
All profits from the sale of New Mexico Lottery games fund an in-state college tuition assistance program. Since 1996, the New Mexico Lottery has raised $500.1 million for education and more than 75,300 students have attended college on Legislative Lottery Scholarships.