The Powerball jackpot amount in Virginia depends on the current jackpot up for grabs in the multi-state Powerball lottery. Powerball is played in 45 states across the United States, including Virginia, as well as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The starting jackpot for Powerball is $40 million, and it continues to grow each drawing until there is a jackpot winner. The jackpot increases based on ticket sales and interest rates.
Powerball Basics
Powerball is a multi-state lottery game administered by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). To play Powerball, players select 5 white ball numbers from 1-69 and 1 red Powerball number from 1-26. Tickets cost $2 per play. Drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The drawings are held at the Florida Lottery’s studio in Tallahassee, Florida. The drawings are broadcast live on select lottery websites.
To win the Powerball jackpot, a player must match all 5 white balls and the red Powerball. The odds of doing this are 1 in 292,201,338. The Powerball jackpot starts at $40 million and continues to grow until there is a jackpot winner. If no one wins the jackpot, the money rolls over into the next drawing and the jackpot increases.
Powerball Jackpot in Virginia
The current Powerball jackpot amount in Virginia is the same as the current jackpot amount for the entire Powerball game. This is because Powerball operates as a shared jackpot between all participating states. Ticket sales from all participating states are pooled together to fund the jackpot.
For example, if the advertised Powerball jackpot is $100 million, then the Virginia Powerball jackpot amount is also $100 million. The jackpot is not divided among states. So players in Virginia are competing for the same grand prize as players in every other Powerball state.
You can find the current jackpot amount for Powerball on the Virginia Lottery’s website, as well as on the Powerball website. The jackpot amount is also widely advertised ahead of every draw on television, online, on lottery terminals, and on Powerball tickets.
Previous Powerball Jackpots in Virginia
Even though Virginia shares the Powerball jackpot with all participating states, there have been a handful of notable Powerball jackpot wins in Virginia over the years:
- In March 2019, a single Powerball ticket sold in Smithfield matched all 5 white balls and the Powerball to win a $768.4 million jackpot. This remains the largest lottery prize ever won in Virginia.
- In December 2016, a Chesapeake couple claimed a $50 million Powerball prize from the drawing on December 17, 2016. Their ticket matched 4 white balls and the Powerball.
- In February 2015, 3 million-dollar winning Powerball tickets were sold in Virginia Beach, Chesterfield County, and Richmond for the February 11, 2015 drawing.
- In December 2013, a $95 million Powerball jackpot was hit in Newport News from the drawing on December 25, 2013.
Despite some sizable wins, the state of Virginia has never produced an individual Powerball jackpot winner, meaning someone who won the game’s grand prize alone. But with the game’s long odds, this is the case for most participating states.
Ways to Win Powerball in Virginia
While the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are slim at 1 in 292 million, there are actually 9 ways in total to win a Powerball prize:
| Match | Odds | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 5 white balls + Powerball | 1 in 292,201,338 | Jackpot |
| 5 white balls | 1 in 11,688,053 | $1 million |
| 4 white balls + Powerball | 1 in 913,129 | $50,000 |
| 4 white balls | 1 in 36,525 | $100 |
| 3 white balls + Powerball | 1 in 14,494 | $100 |
| 3 white balls | 1 in 579 | $7 |
| 2 white balls + Powerball | 1 in 701 | $7 |
| 1 white ball + Powerball | 1 in 92 | $4 |
| Powerball only | 1 in 38 | $4 |
As you can see, matching just the Powerball offers the best odds at 1 in 38. While the prizes for matching only the Powerball are small, it’s still possible to win something without matching any white balls.
Where to Buy Powerball Tickets in Virginia
Powerball tickets can be purchased at any of the nearly 5,000 Virginia Lottery retail locations across the state. You can find Powerball retailers in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and anywhere else you see a Virginia Lottery sign. You can also purchase Powerball tickets online at valottery.com if you are a Virginia resident 18 or older and register for an account.
Some important points about buying Powerball tickets in Virginia:
- You must be at least 18 years old to buy lottery tickets in Virginia.
- Powerball tickets can be purchased up until 9:59 p.m. ET on draw nights (Wednesdays and Saturdays).
- You choose your own numbers or do a Quick Pick and let the computer randomly assign numbers.
- Tickets cost $2 per play. You can add Power Play for $1 more to multiply non-jackpot prizes.
- Retailers can cash winning Powerball tickets up to $600. Larger prizes must be claimed at a Virginia Lottery customer service center.
Powerball Rules in Virginia
Powerball follows the same rules and regulations in Virginia as it does in all participating jurisdictions. This includes:
- Players choose 5 numbers from 1-69 (white balls) and 1 number from 1-26 (Powerball).
- If no one wins the jackpot, the money rolls over into the next jackpot.
- Players can multiply non-jackpot prizes up to 10X using the Power Play option for $1 extra per ticket.
- Tickets costs $2 per play. Players can buy multiple tickets and select multiple sets of numbers.
- Jackpot winners can choose to receive their prize in an annuity paid out over 30 years or as a one-time lump sum payment.
- Federal taxes are withheld from Powerball prizes before they are paid to winners. Prizes may also be subject to state taxes.
- Players must be 18 or older to play. Tickets must be purchased in a lottery jurisdiction – no online sales across state lines.
Virginia does not allow players to remain anonymous if they win the Powerball jackpot. State law requires the Virginia Lottery to release a winner’s name and city/county of residence upon claiming a jackpot prize. This ensures transparency for Virginia Lottery operations.
Powerball Winning Strategies
There is no guaranteed strategy or set of numbers that will help you win the Powerball jackpot. The Powerball drawings are truly random, so every possible number combination has an equal chance of being selected. However, some people use certain strategies to make number selection more meaningful:
- Birthdays – Use birth months or days for your white balls. This connects your numbers to important dates.
- Anniversaries – Try your wedding date or another special anniversary for your white balls.
- Lucky Numbers – Pick digits that feel lucky to you or that you’ve dreamed about.
- Hot and Cold – Use a mix of frequently drawn and infrequently drawn numbers.
- Patterns – Select numbers that create a pattern on your bet slip like a straight line or diagonal.
You should avoid selecting all one number (like 1-1-1-1-1) or other obvious patterns that rarely get drawn. You can check out past winning numbers at the Virginia Lottery’s website for inspiration.
Odds of Winning Powerball
The odds of winning any Powerball prize are 1 in 24.9. However, hitting the jackpot is much tougher at just 1 in 292,201,338. Here are the detailed odds for each prize:
| Prize | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jackpot | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| $1 million | 1 in 11,688,053 |
| $50,000 | 1 in 913,129 |
| $100 | 1 in 36,525 |
| $100 | 1 in 14,494 |
| $7 | 1 in 579 |
| $7 | 1 in 701 |
| $4 | 1 in 38 |
| $4 | 1 in 92 |
As you can see, smaller prizes have better odds but the jackpot is incredibly elusive. No strategy can improve your Powerball odds – the key is buying multiple tickets to increase your chances of hitting those 1 in 292 million odds.
Powerball vs. Mega Millions
Powerball and Mega Millions are the two biggest multi-state lottery jackpot games in the United States. Here’s how the two compare for players in Virginia:
- Jackpot Odds – Powerball is 1 in 292 million. Mega Millions is 1 in 302 million.
- Number Field – Powerball is 1-69 white balls and 1-26 Powerball. Mega Millions is 1-70 white balls and 1-25 Mega Ball.
- Cost – $2 per ticket for Powerball. $2 per ticket for Mega Millions.
- Drawings – Powerball drawings are Wednesdays and Saturdays. Mega Millions drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Multiplier – Powerball has Power Play. Mega Millions has Megaplier.
- Jackpot Starts – Powerball starts at $40 million. Mega Millions starts at $20 million.
- Taxes – Federal taxes apply. State taxes apply in some locations.
Both games are played essentially in the same manner, with players selecting 5 main numbers and 1 additional number. Powerball has slightly better jackpot odds but Mega Millions holds the record for the largest jackpot in U.S. history at $1.537 billion in 2018. You can play both games in Virginia.
Powerball History
Powerball has been going strong for over 30 years after its start in 1988. Here are some key moments in Powerball history:
- 1988 – Powerball begins as the first multi-state game with jackpots starting at $2 million.
- 1992 – Power Play multiplier option is introduced.
- 1997 – Powerball introduces the cash/annuity jackpot choice.
- 1998 – Powerball jackpots start at $20 million.
- 2001 – The starting jackpot increases to $25 million.
- 2006 – Powerball adds up to 5X Power Play multipliers.
- 2012 – Powerball moves to a $40 million starting jackpot.
- 2013 – Powerball adds 2X to 10X Power Play options.
- 2015 – Match 5 prize set to $1 million with 5X Power Play.
- 2022 – Monday Powerball drawings added.
Over the years, Powerball has created dozens of millionaires and billionaires across the United States. Even though the odds are long, someone has to win eventually!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Powerball tickets in Virginia?
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play in Virginia. You can add Power Play for $1 extra per ticket.
What days are the Powerball drawings?
Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Can you buy Powerball tickets online in Virginia?
Yes, you can purchase Virginia Powerball tickets online through the Virginia Lottery website and mobile app if you register for an account and are at least 18 years old.
How late can you buy Powerball tickets in Virginia?
You can buy Powerball tickets in Virginia until 9:59 p.m. ET on draw nights. The cut-off time used to be 1 hour before the drawing.
How old do you have to be to play Powerball in Virginia?
You have to be at least 18 years old to legally play Powerball in Virginia.
How do you claim a Powerball prize in Virginia?
If you win a Powerball prize up to $600, you can claim it at any authorized Virginia Lottery retailer. Larger prizes must be claimed in person at a Virginia Lottery customer service center.
Do Powerball numbers have to be in order?
No, Powerball numbers do not have to be drawn in any particular order to win. The 5 white balls and red Powerball can appear in any sequence.
Has anyone from Virginia ever won Powerball?
There have been winners from Virginia of some of the secondary Powerball prizes, but no one from Virginia has ever hit the jackpot alone.
What was the biggest Powerball jackpot in Virginia?
The largest Virginia Powerball winner was a $768.4 million jackpot shared by one Virginia player in March 2019. The ticket was purchased in Smithfield.
Conclusion
Powerball provides the chance for huge jackpot wins in Virginia and across the United States. Tickets are $2 each in Virginia, with a 1 in 292 million shot at the jackpot. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. While hitting the jackpot is tough, smaller prizes have better odds and are won in the state on a regular basis. Playing responsibly offers entertainment and the possibility of becoming Powerball’s next big winner!
