Powerball
Reaches $340 Million
The Powerball game has reached
a new record-breaking jackpot of $340 million.
A feature added to Powerball in 2002, the Match
5 BONUS Prize, kicks in for the first time and
is designed to provide more players with the
opportunity to share in such a large prize.
"It's thrilling
to be able to unveil this new feature, which
spreads Powerball excitement and winnings even
further," said John Musgrave, Chairman
of the Powerball Group and Director of the West
Virginia Lottery. "As sales and prizes
grow to new levels, so does the amount of money
raised for the positive programs our member
lotteries fund."
The
portion of sales normally added to the jackpot
amount above $340 million will be moved to the
new BONUS Prize pool. If a player wins Wednesday's
estimated jackpot, any player who correctly
matches the five white ball numbers will win
an equal share of the BONUS Prize pool in addition
to the usual prizes for that level. The usual
Match 5 prize is $200,000 and can be increased
up to $1 million with purchase of the Power
Play option. The BONUS Prize is automatic and
will be added to whatever Match 5 prizes are
already won. The BONUS Prize is available at
no additional cost to the player.
"The
great thing about this feature is that it comes
at absolutely no additional cost to the player,"
said Musgrave. "This is just one way to
keep our game fresh and exciting and a continued
source of fun for players."
Here's
how it works:
-
When the previous record Powerball jackpot has
been surpassed, a new "Share the Winnings"
feature sets jackpot growth to no more than
$25 million per draw. Any additional funds that
would go into the grand prize pool above the
$25 million will be placed into a BONUS Prize
Pool that will be divided equally among any
5 of 5 prize winners of the drawing in which
the jackpot is hit.
-
Match 5 Bonus prizes are paid in a lump sum.
-
Check Powerball.com for the latest information
on the size of the growing BONUS Prize Pool.
-
Winning Match 5 players who played Power Play
will win $200,000 multiplied by the selected
multiplier. The BONUS prize will then be added
to this total. The BONUS prize is not multiplied
by the Power Play option.
-
The BONUS Prize Pool grows until the jackpot
is won. The BONUS Prize Pool grows just as the
primary jackpot pool rolls and is paid out only
when there is a jackpot winner.
-
Players who match 5 white ball numbers for that
drawing still win $200,000 or $200,000 times
the Power Play number if the player purchased
that option.
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