United Kingdom lottery players will soon participate for massive billion-dollar jackpots
By Kate Northrop
The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and the UK National Lottery have jointly announced that the US-based Powerball multi-state lottery game will be expanding to the UK.
It's official: Powerball is growing beyond North America into the United Kingdom, where lottery players overseas will soon have the opportunity to play for the billion-dollar jackpots that only US lottery players have traditionally had access to.
MUSL made a historic agreement with Allwyn UK, the operator of the UK National Lottery, that will increase the number of participating lotteries in the Powerball multi-state game from 48 to 49.
This is the very first time a non-US lottery will contribute to a US-based lottery jackpot, perhaps inviting a new alternative to Powerball's definition as a "multi-state" game.
MUSL and Allwyn said they expect that the addition of the UK player population will encourage Powerball jackpots to grow more quickly without altering core game features, rules, odds, and ticket prices that US players value.
"This partnership expands the player base in a way that benefits every jurisdiction participating in Powerball," Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO Matt Strawn said in a press release. "This is a win for Powerball players — as more people play, the faster jackpots grow, all while keeping odds the same for every Powerball drawing, wherever a player buys their $2 ticket."
"We're delighted to be joining the Powerball community," Allwyn UK CEO Andria Vidler said in a statement. "Our ambition is to bring more games, more innovation and more excitement to The UK National Lottery — and it doesn't get more exciting than Powerball, with its transformative jackpots and life-changing contribution to good causes."
Expanding the game to the UK was also motivated by MUSL's desire to strengthen its "long-term sustainability" and the "good causes it supports." According to MUSL, more than half of every $2 Powerball ticket stays in the jurisdiction where it is sold, which is funneled to different public programs and services determined at the state level.
Powerball alone has generated about $38 billion for good causes, education, scholarships, veteran services, parks and recreation, and other public programs, MUSL said.
"For decades, Powerball proceeds have provided real benefits to Americans, year after year. This will not change," Strawn added. "This summer's expansion to the UK helps secure the game's future as a dependable source of funding for the public programs and services our players care about."
US state lotteries and the UK National Lottery will pool funds only for the Powerball jackpot, not lower-tier prizes. Tickets purchased in the UK will contribute the same fixed US dollar amount per play to the jackpot pool as tickets purchased in the US, the only difference being that UK players will have a different lower-tier prize structure and payouts.
The biggest difference is that jackpot winners in the UK will not have the option of claiming the jackpot as a lump sum, rather it will be paid out over 30 years "to ensure the amount received is much higher than if the same prize was offered as an upfront, one-off payment," the National Lottery explained.
"As well as offering the winner a higher overall prize, this provides a steady, reliable income over many years, helping to support long-term financial security," the National Lottery continued.
There are no other discernable game changes to how Powerball is played in the US. The US prize structure will remain the same. Players from all jurisdictions will continue to pick five white ball numbers from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26 with unchanged odds of 1 in 292.2 million odds at winning the jackpot.
The UK National Lottery will be required to abide by the same security standards and compliance policies as US lotteries, MUSL advised.
The UK Gambling Commission is expected to give final regulatory approval soon, in time for the Powerball game to begin operating in the UK later this summer. UK players will have the option of buying tickets either in person at retailers or online via the National Lottery's website and app. Players can select their own numbers or opt for a Lucky Dip (Quick Pick).
UK players will have to purchase their tickets by 11:55 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Drawings will continue to take place in the US every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at around 4:00 a.m. UK time, the National Lottery said.
Tickets in the UK will cost £4 each, with purchases available up to 4 weeks in advance.
UK-only Powerball Prize Structure
The following prizes are what UK lottery players will be paid out for tickets purchased in that country. US lottery players will continue with the same prize structure offered today.
| Prize Categories | Estimated (or fixed) UK Prize |
|---|---|
| 5 Main numbers + Powerball | Jackpot paid over 30 years |
| 5 Main numbers | £1,000,000 (fixed prize) |
| 4 Main numbers + Powerball | £33,000 |
| 4 Main numbers | £1,100 |
| 3 Main numbers + Powerball | £500 |
| 3 Main numbers | £52.10 |
| 2 Main numbers + Powerball | £30.80 |
| 1 Main number + Powerball | £15.30 |
| Powerball | £11.90 |
| 2 Main numbers | £8 (fixed prize) |
Just great. American money going to foreign citizens. Someone said it best years ago when I joined "change is NEVER good to the player"
Will a Uk winner pay any federal tax?
*. .. and the starting jackpot will be...
June 10 will be the last date for my powerball! I'm not funding foreigners! Uk is a messed up country filled with corruption by third world thieves!
Well I guess after that goes into effect I won't be playing anymore. First mega millions and now Powerball. Looks like it's just state lotteries now. Lame.
Thank you for the heads up Kate....I will now start saving myself $16/wk. MUSL, please change your abbreviation to MUNL....Best of luck to all that are participating after June 9th,2026.
I love this - was looking forward to it.
Change is good - keeps things interesting.
I think it should spread to Australia, Canada and Europe as well.
I like that they will keep the ticket cost at $2 in the US.
Hope for an increase in the jackpot reset amount.
I would have liked if they scrapped the taxes on the US side of things if the game won't be taxed on the UK side.
I hope that on the UK side the annuity does not get affected by the death of a jackpot winner since there is no cash option. An 80 year old winner may not live to be 110 so it would be good to have the payments continue to the winners estate.
A lot of our tax money is used abroad, a good example is the ongoing Ukraine/Russia conflict. You can't entirely control how Uncle Sam spends your tax dollars. The good thing is if one does not want their dollars paying a player in UK, you just don't play. Same is true for a UK player who does not want their pounds paying a US winner.
I don't see any barriers that would make me not play: the price is the same, the odds as well.
The world is a village, the borders are on the maps, the financial industry knows that too well, so too those that travel far and wide.
Can't wait for Summer ⛱️
Bring it on 🤑
This is going to be great fun to watch!
hard pass. hope the regulators give this a
That'd be a dumb idea. I hope it doesn't happen!
Hmmmmm P.B. available in UK ...check.
Okay, MM available in CHINA?! checkmate!
Just thinking aloud as to what MMs next move might be.
Speaking of MM ......sales are down 24% in Massachusetts in the year since the price change took place .
Time for a grilled cheese and liverwurst sandwich with a side of spoiled olives.
Have a shaggy day, ya'll!
ShagE3
I don't agree with this change. Americans can't play Euromillions, eurojackpot, lotto max , and etc. MUSL is just getting greedy at this point. People will continue to play but I will not
Perhaps someone will start a discussion topic on this MUNL adventure...with a poll, if you will play, what $ figure you will jump in at...the usual stuff
It looks odd to see prizes listed in British pounds.
Unless I get to buy euromillions tickets I don't like this.
Actually l support this idea 100 percent. And l tell you why. Powerball has two options raise Price like Mega million or increase players. This means one thing Powerball will grow faster and can eventually hit $3,000,000,000 to $4,000,000,000 to $5,000,000,000 all in two months instead of three months. Any Big Jackpot is perfect for JoeBiglotto 😃👍🤠😁🥳🇺🇸🇺🇸 Plus UK currency is always Neck and Neck with US dollars so perfect. 👍🐬🐬
My assumption..
Likely "operate similarly to California"..
Prizes less than the jackpot. Because they are UK, won't be taxed at payout (tax collected at point of sale). No federal tax because effectively "UK lottery".
Jackpots.. Because they are pooled... and payed out only as an annuity.... not sure...
* True, but only if British players are willing to go for the 30 year payout & if they find the odds attractive enough.
In the UK, lottery prize money is tax free and winners have the right to remain anonymous.
That definitely applies to the "lesser prizes" which are all funded by UK sales. But there is an issue with the jackpot where funds are mingled...
It is likely that it will be paid out tax free.... because UK isn't USA.. But not sure how the US will get its tax.. Even nonresident aliens have to pay 30%.
Maybe the "tax free' is why it is only being paid as an annuity.
l read what the Article says Above ☝️ it says British players do not have the option to take Lump sum. And that any British player that wins Power Ball must take the Annuity. So Annuity is their only available option. Some people ask about federal tax. There are two ways to work around it . One pay your federal tax After you win 🏆 or Two your federal tax adds 20 cents or ten cents to the cost of the ticket. And l think Powerball should eliminate federal and state tax Completely. Treat it like lottery retailers. A little percent of ticket cost automatically go to federal tax so winners are Tax free all over the world. The same end game but different approach 😃🙏👍
Normally someone in UK playing the US Powerball has to pay 30% federal tax on prizes
however, not all of the jackpot is "USA money".. some proportion is UK money...
So why should they be paying federal tax on UK money won in UK?
We already do...ISRAEL!
The population of England is 60 million and California is 40 million.
The London area has 15.1 million while L.A. has 12.7 million people.
So I can hear it now "Why is England always winning?/why is London always winning?"
You can see this one coming a mile away!
NO! That's just the withholding amount. They would be subject to the whole 37% too.
First and foremost l will admit l do not know the Tax agreement between Powerball and Uk. But based on what l do Know it is going to be mutually beneficial. This is why . Number one the Jackpot is one thing but Uk has other new features attached to there game like second price or third price. As to why Uk 🇬🇧 residents have to pay Federal tax on Powerball that is left to be determined by their agreement details. So uk is like Puerto Rico dilemma and puerto rico 🇵🇷 is still standing. Remember Puerto Rico does not pay Federal tax and Uk 🇬🇧 does not pay Lottery Tax. And l remember when Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 Joined Powerball and Won 🏆 the first month of Joining people were screaming Federal tax federal tax federal tax. Today Puerto rico 🇵🇷 is still standing strong 💪 with powerball. So in two years time Uk 🇬🇧 will be standing strong 💪 with Powerball and at least one or two Uk winners of $300,000,0000. So let's all relax and enjoy the Game. At the end of the Day you still need a Dollar and a Dream. 😴 the only difference now is jackpot will grow to a billion in less than two months compared to three months before the Merger lol 😝 Am so excited. But guess which country l want to also Join Power Ball Well it's Australia 🇦🇺 🙏🥂🪐🪐
A prize won in England will not be subject to U.S. taxes unless won by a U.S. citizen. I am not an expert but this is relatively easy to see.
A prize won in the U.S. by a non citizen would be subject to the full 37% regardless of their withholding amount.
Right? I was thinking of this. Americans cannot participate any other foreign countries lottery games unless they are visiting the country . Will we be able to play the UK's National lottery ? Or Canada's Lotto Max? Or Australia's Powerball ? No. We can't even nationally play a lottery game through an app like they can with the Euromillions.
It seems the Powerball keeps chasing growth despite a of ticket sales. Instead of asking why ticket sales are declining they think price increase or more players. People are saying they want this because we will have more billion dollar jackpots. They said the same for the MegaMillions price increase . Yet where are big billion dollar jackpots and fast growing jackpots since $5 price tag ? There is a reason ticket sales are declining.
The statement made above about USA 🇺🇸 not able to play in other countries lottery is not exactly true. Let's break it down . USA 🇺🇸 has the Biggest and best Lottery in the World so USA 🇺🇸 is selling lottery plans to the World. If other countries had the best lottery's then they can sell it to USA 🇺🇸. So Remember it's not that other countries do not want to sell lottery to USA its just that USA doesn't exactly like to follow. The only other Lottery that can compete with USA 🇺🇸 lottery is Spanish ElGordo but unfortunately that takes place once per year at Christmas 🎅 worth Billions. Even though am in USA 🇺🇸 l buy ElGordo online with absolutely no problem and if l win Spain 🇪🇸 made it clear they will withhold only 20 percent Tax short and simple. So if America 🇺🇸 wants to Join Euro millions or Lotto Max that is another story for another day but l can tell you Americans addicted to Billion dollar Powerball or Mega millions do not want Lotto Max or Euto millions not exciting. The only Game that can Excite Americans is ElGordo 🙏😁💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰
Also the current population of Australia 🇦🇺 is approximately 30 million they are the ones l want to see Join Powerball 😇
My only Concern in all of this is Currency fluctuations does that mean if l convert my currency l can buy more tickets for same Game just curious but other than that sounds great 👍