The first UK Powerball ticket was sold at Sewell On The Go in Pocklington, York at just after 5am.

Available in retailers nationwide, a £4 Powerball line gives UK players the chance to win a staggering estimated £300 million in Thursday’s (23^rd July) draw – the biggest jackpot ever offered to UK players so far!

The game is behind some of the world’s most extraordinary lottery wins, including the record-breaking jackpot worth more than $2.04 billion won in 2022. With uncapped jackpots starting at £10 million and capable of growing into the hundreds of millions, and even beyond £1 billion, Powerball offers prize potential unlike anything previously available through The National Lottery.

Retailers can expect increased engagement and sales driven by Powerball’s fast-growing jackpots, supported by the multimillion-pound advertising campaign to boost footfall and attract new players. With 20p commission per £4 line sold, alongside additional earning and footfall opportunities from in-store prize payouts, the game offers clear commercial benefits.

Players have until 11.55pm on Wednesday 22^nd July to secure their chance to be part of Powerball history, ahead of the first draw at around 4am (UK time) on Thursday 23^rd July. Following the launch, draws will take place three times a week from the Powerball studio in Florida.

New research among 2,000 UK adults found that 85% believe a Powerball-sized jackpot would give them the freedom to do things that would otherwise be impossible.

The findings reveal that, when people start imagining Powerball-sized wealth, they think beyond luxury purchases and begin planning life-changing projects, unforgettable experiences and ways to make a lasting impact.

For the first UK draw, tickets are available to buy in-store until 11.55pm on Wednesday 22^nd July.

Thereafter, tickets are available online and in-store until 11.55pm the night before each draw. Draws take place around 4am UK time on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from the Powerball studio in Florida.

More information on Powerball can be found at www.national-lottery.co.uk/powerball

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This is complemented by dedicated store visits already taking place to make Playstation upgrades and guide retailers through the upcoming changes.

Each box includes the brand-new play slips for Powerball, refreshed guidance materials and in-store point-of-sale (POS) assets. Player-facing ‘How To Play’ leaflets are also included, ensuring players have clear, accessible information when buying tickets and claiming prizes.

UK Powerball players will pick five main numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26, or they can choose a Lucky Dip. Tickets will be available to buy online or in store until 11:55pm the night before the draws (on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays), with draws then taking place at around 4am the following morning – on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays – at the Powerball studio in Florida.

If the Powerball jackpot – which is currently estimated at $526m* – continues to roll until the UK launch, UK players will be in with a chance to scoop serious ‘Powerball Money’ in the opening draw on 23 July.

Closer to home, the game is expected to raise around £1bn for UK Good Causes over its first five years, with all Good Causes funding generated from UK ticket sales going directly to UK beneficiaries and projects.

Retailers can expect increased engagement and sales driven by Powerball’s fast-growing jackpots, supported by the multimillion-pound advertising campaign to boost footfall and attract new players. With 20p commission per £4 line sold, alongside additional earning and footfall opportunities from in-store prize payouts, the game offers clear commercial benefits.

To maximise the opportunity, retailers should:

• Keep the Powerball jackpot visible and play slips readily available;
• Offer National Lottery Fast Pay cards to encourage repeat play; and
• Generate in-store excitement by recommending the brand-new Powerball game to existing customers – perhaps asking them what they would do with the ‘Powerball Money’ on offer.

Retailers should also be aware of the key differences in terminal operations compared with other National Lottery draw-based games. Because draws take place in the US at around 4am UK time, tickets cannot be purchased on the same day as the draw. Instead, terminals will display selectable ‘Week Days’ of Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, which correspond to draws taking place in the early hours of Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday respectively.

Powerball tickets will feature several new elements, giving them a slightly different appearance to other draw-based game tickets. These include:

• A new ‘Retailer Key’ (RK) number displayed alongside the existing 28-digit number;
• An additional date and time stamp; and
• New 2D barcodes that can be scanned via the terminal as usual.

Additionally, unlike other draw-based games, Powerball tickets cannot be cancelled from a draw once issued. However, players can only request a refund under the same limited circumstances that apply for all ticket cancellations today – such as when tickets issued in error, are illegible or incomplete, or where duplicate Lucky Dip lines have been printed. Refunds must be processed within two hours of purchase and before draw sales close or the store closes, using the standard cancellation process. Refunded tickets cannot be validated for prizes, and all returned tickets and slips must be retained for 30 days for reconciliation and security purposes.

*  The estimated US Powerball jackpot and the UK jackpot are not directly comparable. The US jackpot is advertised in US dollars and before taxes, while the UK jackpot is advertised as a post-tax value. The UK jackpot is paid as an annuity over 30 years, with the advertised amount calculated using the highest applicable UK tax rate.

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And after months of anticipation, National Lottery operator Allwyn has confirmed that, subject to final regulatory approval, the UK-specific version of the game will officially launch in the UK this month – with players able to buy a £4 Powerball line in National Lottery retailers and on the National Lottery website/app from Tuesday 21^st July.

Powerball from The National Lottery will offer UK players uncapped jackpots starting at £12m, which can grow into the hundreds of millions and even billions. The UK-specific version of the iconic Powerball game will see UK players playing alongside their US counterparts for a chance to win the mega, shared jackpot – which will be paid out over 30 years to UK jackpot winners**.

The UK game features an extra ‘Match 2 main numbers’ prize tier, which is only available to UK players and offers a fixed prize of £8. The ‘Match 5 main numbers’ tier also offers a fixed prize of £1m, while all other UK prize tiers offer generous, estimated prizes – which vary depending on the balls drawn and the number of winners in each tier.

If the Powerball jackpot – which is currently estimated at $416m*** – continues to roll until the UK launch, UK players will be in with a chance to scoop serious ‘Powerball Money’ in the opening draw on 23^rd July.

The launch of Powerball follows on from changes that Allwyn made to the flagship Lotto game last month – where one £2 Lotto line now gives players two chances to win. Since the first new Lotto draw on 10th June, the revised format has so far created 27 millionaires. As the nation’s ‘millionaire maker’, the new Lotto format is the ideal complement to Powerball, the UK’s first £1bn+ mega-jackpot game.

But ‘Powerball Money’ is not just about buying bigger houses, faster cars or luxury holidays. When jackpots can climb as high as the billions, the possibilities move beyond possessions altogether. This is the kind of money that could save a beloved local football club, bring a bold community project to life, or fund a cause you care about for generations to come.

A Powerball win has the potential to create an impact far beyond the winner themselves. It can transform families, strengthen communities and create opportunities on a scale few people could ever imagine. This is ‘Powerball Money’ – wealth so extraordinary that it is measured not by what you own, but by what you can make possible.

Founded in 1992, Powerball will be a win-win for National Lottery players – offering eye-watering jackpots and range of great prizes but also delivering for UK Good Causes. The biggest-ever Powerball winner of over $2.04bn was made in 2022. And, over the past 34 years, Powerball has generated an estimated $38bn for good causes, including education and scholarships, veteran services, parks and recreation, and more.

And Powerball’s impact will not stop with its winners. The game is expected to raise around £1bn for UK Good Causes over its first five years, with all Good Causes funding generated from UK ticket sales going directly to UK beneficiaries and projects. So, while Powerball jackpots have the potential to transform winners’ lives, every ticket sold will also help support communities the length and breadth of the UK.

Allwyn CEO, Andria Vidler said: “We’re excited to give National Lottery players the chance to dream bigger, while supporting thousands of Good Cause projects across the UK every week. Powerball jackpots can soar into the billions, offering breath-taking sums with the potential to transform lives and communities.

“As we begin the countdown to the first draw later this month, you won’t be able to miss Powerball’s arrival with a major launch lined up. We’re encouraging players to get involved when tickets go on sale, and we’ll be crossing our fingers for our first UK winner.”

Rebecca Paul, President & CEO of the Tennessee Lottery and former President of the World Lottery Association added: “This next step brings us closer to a thrilling milestone for Powerball. More players mean faster-growing jackpots, more excitement and even greater impact for the communities we serve.”

* Subject to final regulatory approval.

**The UK advertised jackpot will be the estimated amount paid to most winners over 30 years after UK taxes. In rare circumstances, additional taxes may apply to the jackpot depending on the winner’s circumstances (for example, if the winner is not a UK tax resident) because of the prize money originating from the US.

*** The estimated US Powerball jackpot and the UK jackpot are not directly comparable. The US jackpot is advertised in US dollars and before taxes, while the UK jackpot is advertised as a post-tax value. The UK jackpot is paid as an annuity over 30 years, with the advertised amount calculated using the highest applicable UK tax rate.

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In the newly created role, Nikki will take full ownership of the Scratchcards category, including commercial performance, game design strategy, brand development, and category innovation.

She will also lead retail execution across the business, working cross-functionally to support Allwyn’s growth plans in this area.

Nikki brings a strong track record of driving consumer-led innovation, commercial excellence, and brand building. She has held senior roles across organisations including L’Oréal, Henkel, Danone and Dorel, where she has led large teams, managed multi-brand portfolios, and delivered successful category transformations.

Recognised as one of Marketing Week’s Top 100 Most Effective Marketers for five consecutive years, she is known for her collaborative leadership style and ability to build high-performing teams.

Bridget Lea, Managing Director of Retail at Allwyn said: “Scratchcards are one of the most important and complex parts of The National Lottery, and a key focus within our retail strategy.

“As we continue to evolve the category, Nikki’s appointment will help turn our ambition into real growth across the portfolio, benefitting both our retail partners and Good Causes.”

Nikki Vadera added: “I’m thrilled to join the Allwyn team to lead the Scratchcards category. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about helping mature categories evolve by combining consumer understanding, commercial discipline, and innovation to unlock growth.

“This opportunity is particularly exciting as it brings together category ownership, commercial leadership, and the potential for transformation at scale. It represents an opportunity to shape the future of an iconic category, while contributing to increased returns for Good Causes.

“I’m looking forward to working with Bridget and the wider team to help build the next chapter of growth for the category and The National Lottery.”

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The £5 Beat The Chasers Scratchcard is now in retail. There are five top prizes of £1.5 million, and the overall odds of winning are 1 in 3.52.

The Beat The Chasers Scratchcard, licensed by ITV Studios, brings the programme’s pace and intensity to The National Lottery. There are three themed games: Cash Builder, which matches ‘answers’ for prizes. The Offer, which lets players ‘predict’ the Chaser’s offer. And Beat The Chasers, where players need to outscore the Chaser for a win.

Allwyn will support the launch through in-store and marketing activity designed to maximise visibility and drive engagement, including retail Point of Sale with a full asset takeover in July, and a Scratchcard dispenser flash and arrow in August. Beat The Chasers marks Allwyn’s second exciting licensed Scratchcard in 2026, following February’s £5 Deal or No Deal Scratchcard, which engaged players and retail.

Steve Parkinson, Marketing Director at Allwyn said: “The Beat The Chasers programme has built a huge and loyal following across the UK, making it a natural addition to our Scratchcard line-up. With our Beat The Chasers Scratchcard, we’ve created a game that captures the competitive edge and quick-fire excitement of the show in a format that’s instantly accessible to players.

“We saw fantastic engagement from both players and retailers with the launch of our Deal or No Deal Scratchcard earlier this year, and we’re confident Beat The Chasers will continue that momentum. And, as always, every time someone plays a National Lottery game, they help contribute to the £33 million raised every week for UK Good Causes.”

Steve Watling, SVP Gaming – Zoo55, ITV Studios added: “Beat The Chasers has been a hit international spin off show and demonstrates the success and popularity of the chaser mechanic. This is the first time the format has been adapted for a game, and this Allwyn scratchcard features all the main elements from the show format. We look forward to seeing this in retail.”

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