ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Lottery is reminding Powerball players that the game’s prizes and ticket price will increase starting Sunday.
The price of a Powerball wager will increase from $1 to $2 to create:
- 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 $4 prize for matching the red Powerball, up from $3.
The game’s odds will also improve. The number of red Powerballs will decrease from 1 in 39 to 1 in 35 to give players a better chance to win. Overall odds will come down from 1 in 35 to 1 in 31.8. The game’s odds to win the jackpot will come down from 1 in 195 million to 1 in 175 million.
The New Mexico Lottery will continue to offer Mega Millions, Hot Lotto and Roadrunner Cash at the price of $1 per play, per draw.
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.
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 $503 million for education and more than 75,300 students have attended college on Legislative Lottery Scholarships.