How many people in Idaho have won the Powerball?

Idaho has seen its fair share of big Powerball winners over the years. While the gem state may not lead the nation in Powerball jackpot wins, several lucky Idahoans have claimed prizes worth millions of dollars from America’s biggest multi-state lottery game.

Quick Facts

  • At least 5 Powerball jackpot winners have come from Idaho since the game began in 1992.
  • The biggest Powerball prize won in Idaho was $220.3 million claimed by a man from Star in 2005.
  • Idaho Lottery has sold around $525 million in Powerball tickets and awarded over $135 million in prizes since joining the game in 1995.
  • Powerball tickets cost $2 each in Idaho and can be purchased at over 1,000 retailers statewide.
  • Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 8:59 p.m. Mountain Time.

Notable Idaho Powerball Winners

Here are some of the biggest Powerball winners to date from the state of Idaho:

Winner Prize Date Won
Star resident $220.3 million August 3, 2005
Emmett resident $2 million December 29, 2018
Soda Springs resident $1 million May 23, 2015
Boise resident $1 million January 15, 2014
Idaho Falls resident $1 million November 28, 2012

As the table shows, the single biggest Powerball winner from Idaho was a man from Star who won an astonishing $220.3 million jackpot in 2005. At the time, it was the 4th largest Powerball prize awarded. A more recent big winner was an Emmett resident who claimed a $2 million prize on a ticket purchased in 2018.

Idaho’s Biggest Powerball Wins

$220.3 Million Jackpot

Idaho’s biggest Powerball winner is a man from Star who won a $220.3 million jackpot in 2005. The man purchased his lucky quick pick ticket from an Albertsons store in Boise. His jackpot prize was the 4th largest Powerball payout at the time. After federal and state taxes, the Star resident took home around $88 million. When asked what he planned to do with the money, he said he wanted to buy some land, invest and share with family.

$2 Million Prize

More recently, an Emmett resident won a $2 million Powerball prize in December 2018. The lucky winner purchased their ticket from a Jacksons Food Store in Emmett for the Christmas Day drawing. The winning numbers that night were 5, 25, 38, 52, and 24, with a Powerball of 24. The Emmett player matched all five main numbers but missed the Powerball to win the game’s second prize. After taxes, the $2 million prize came out to about $1.4 million.

Odds of Winning Powerball in Idaho

The overall odds of winning a Powerball prize in Idaho are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning specific prizes are:

  • Jackpot: 1 in 292,201,338
  • $1 million: 1 in 11,688,053.52
  • $50,000: 1 in 913,129.18
  • $100: 1 in 36.61

As you can see, hitting the jackpot is extremely difficult, but landing smaller prizes ranging from $4 to $100 is more common. With consistent play, Idaho Lottery players win smaller Powerball prizes frequently.

How to Play Powerball in Idaho

Playing Powerball in Idaho is easy. Simply visit any Idaho Lottery retailer and buy a Powerball playslip for $2 per play. Choose five main numbers between 1-69 and one Powerball number between 1-26. You can also ask for a quick pick and have the numbers randomly selected by the lottery terminal. Each Powerball ticket costs $2 per play. After buying your ticket, tune in to the drawings held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 8:59 p.m. MT to see if you’re Idaho’s next big Powerball winner!

Buying Tickets

Powerball tickets can be purchased at any of over 1,000 Idaho Lottery retail locations statewide. Players can find retailers on the Lottery’s website or locator app. Tickets can also be bought online at Play.IdahoLottery.com for Idaho residents 18 and older. Players have up until 15 minutes before the 8:59 p.m. MT drawings to buy tickets on draw days.

Claiming Prizes

For prizes under $600, players can cash in winning Powerball tickets at any Idaho Lottery retail location. Prizes of $600 or more must be claimed at Idaho Lottery offices in Boise, Coeur d’Alene or Idaho Falls. Jackpot and second prize winners have 180 days to claim, while other prizes expire after 180 days. Idaho does not allow Powerball winners to remain anonymous.

Key Facts

  • Idaho joined Powerball in 1995.
  • Players pick 5 main numbers from 1-69 and 1 Powerball from 1-26.
  • Tickets cost $2 per play.
  • Drawings are held 3 times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Idaho has had at least 5 jackpot winners over the years.
  • Biggest Idaho winner was $220.3 million Star man in 2005.
  • Odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292 million.
  • Prizes can be claimed up to 180 days after the drawing.

The Bottom Line

While Idaho has not had nearly as many jackpot winners as larger states, it has produced some massive Powerball winners over the years. At least 5 residents have claimed Powerball jackpot prizes, with the biggest being a $220.3 million Star man in 2005. More recently, an Emmett resident scored a $2 million prize in 2018. With Powerball’s life-changing jackpots starting at $20 million and growing until someone wins, more Idaho players could join the state’s list of big lottery winners at any time.

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