The Wisconsin Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the state, offering millions of dollars in jackpot prizes. Players pick 5 numbers from 1 to 69 and 1 Powerball number from 1 to 26 for a chance to win prizes. The Powerball is drawn twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
How to Play Wisconsin Powerball
To play the Wisconsin Powerball, players must:
– Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 69. These are called the white balls.
– Pick 1 number from 1 to 26. This is called the Powerball.
– Choose to play with Power Play for an extra $1 per play to increase non-jackpot prizes.
– Buy a Powerball playslip from a Wisconsin lottery retailer or select numbers using a quick pick option.
– Each Powerball play costs $2, or $3 with Power Play.
How to Win Wisconsin Powerball Prizes
There are 9 ways to win prizes in the Wisconsin Powerball:
| Match | Odds of Winning | Prize |
| 5 white balls + Powerball | 1 in 292,201,338 | Jackpot |
| 5 white balls (no Powerball) | 1 in 11,688,053 | $1 million |
| 4 white balls + Powerball | 1 in 913,129 | $50,000 |
| 4 white balls (no Powerball) | 1 in 36,525 | $100 |
| 3 white balls + Powerball | 1 in 14,494 | $100 |
| 3 white balls (no Powerball) | 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 |
The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9. With Power Play, non-jackpot prizes are multiplied by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x randomly.
Wisconsin Powerball Jackpot
The Wisconsin Powerball jackpot starts at $40 million and grows until someone wins it. Jackpots are pari-mutuel, meaning the prize is divided equally among multiple winning tickets.
If no one matches all 6 numbers, the jackpot rolls over to the next drawing and increases. The jackpot cash value is an estimate of the advertised jackpot, paid in a lump-sum payment instead of over 29 years.
Powerball jackpot winners can remain anonymous in Wisconsin. The lottery will not release a winner’s name publicly unless they choose to come forward.
Largest Wisconsin Powerball Jackpots
Here are the top 5 record Powerball jackpots won in Wisconsin:
| Amount | Date | Winner |
| $768.4 million | March 27, 2019 | Manuel Franco, West Allis |
| $155.2 million | March 22, 2017 | Anonymous, Lafayette County |
| $110.2 million | September 14, 2022 | Anonymous |
| $96.5 million | June 1, 2022 | Anonymous |
| $80.1 million | April 21, 2021 | Anonymous |
The biggest Wisconsin Powerball winner is Manuel Franco of West Allis, who won a world record $768.4 million jackpot in 2019. Franco took the cash option worth $477 million.
Wisconsin Powerball Draw Times
The Wisconsin Powerball drawings take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m. CT. Tickets cannot be purchased after 9 p.m. on draw nights.
To participate in a drawing, players must buy their Powerball tickets by 9 p.m. CT on that night. Tickets for future draws can be purchased in advance.
Powerball drawings are held at the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Florida. The drawings are supervised by certified public accounts and conducted using two drawing machines.
Buying Wisconsin Powerball Tickets
Powerball tickets can only be purchased within the state of Wisconsin. There are a few different ways to buy:
– At Wisconsin lottery retailers. Find a retailer on the Lottery website.
– Online at the Wisconsin Lottery website. Must create an account.
– Using the Wisconsin Lottery mobile app. Download the app and sign up.
– With Jackpocket lottery courier service in Madison, Milwaukee. Order via mobile app.
– With the Lottery Self-Service Ticket Vending Machine at select retailers.
Powerball tickets sales cut off at 9 p.m. CT on draw nights. Some online and mobile sales stop earlier at 6 p.m. CST. Check cutoff times carefully.
Claiming Wisconsin Powerball Prizes
For prizes under $600, winners can cash in their ticket at any Wisconsin lottery retailer. Prizes $600 and over must be claimed at one of the Lottery’s regional offices or Madison headquarters.
Steps to claim a Wisconsin Powerball prize:
– Sign the back of the winning ticket immediately.
– Keep the ticket in a safe place until ready to claim.
– Collect required identification and tax forms.
– Call or visit a Wisconsin Lottery office to start the claims process.
The deadline to claim Powerball prizes is 180 days from the draw date. Jackpots expire after 180 days. Check details on the Wisconsin Lottery website.
Wisconsin Powerball Winnings & Taxes
Lottery winnings from Powerball are subject to both federal and state taxes. Tax rates vary depending on prize amount:
– Prizes up to $5,000 – 5.5% state tax.
– Prizes $5,001 to $100,000 – 6.65% state tax.
– Prizes over $100,000 – 7.65% state tax.
Federal taxes are 24% for up to $9,950, then rises to 37% for prizes over $497,950. The top tax rate is 37%.
For lump sums over $5 million, the top federal tax rate is 39.6%. State and federal taxes combine for over 50% tax on jackpots.
Powerball Winners From Wisconsin
There have been notable Powerball jackpot winners from the state:
– Manuel Franco, 24, won a record $768.4 million Powerball prize in March 2019. At the time, it was the third largest lottery jackpot in US history. Franco, from West Allis, was the sole winner.
– In March 2017, a player in Lafayette County won a $155.2 million Powerball jackpot. The winner remained anonymous. It was the 17th largest prize in Powerball history.
– In June 2022, a lucky Wisconsin player anonymously won a $96.5 million Powerball jackpot. It was one of multiple big Wisconsin wins that year.
– A $110.2 million Powerball jackpot was claimed by an anonymous Wisconsin player in September 2022. It was the state’s largest win so far that year.
In addition to the jackpot winners, thousands of smaller Powerball prizes are won in Wisconsin every year. Lower tier winners collect prizes from $4 up to the million-dollar second tier prize.
Powerball Rules in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Lottery has rules in place for playing and winning Powerball in the state:
– Players must be at least 18 years old to buy tickets.
– Powerball tickets cannot be bought on credit or with a loan.
– Tickets can only be purchased within Wisconsin borders.
– Players are anonymous unless they choose to publicly identify themselves.
– Prize winners are responsible for all applicable state and federal taxes.
– Lost or stolen tickets are the responsibility of the purchaser. Lottery is not liable for lost tickets.
– The Wisconsin Lottery has the sole right to revise Powerball game rules and regulations as needed.
The full list of Powerball rules can be found in the Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter Tax 65 – Lottery Rules.
Wisconsin Lottery Proceeds
After prize payouts and expenses, net revenues from the Wisconsin Lottery games like Powerball support important state causes and programs:
– K-12 education – over 65% of net proceeds.
– Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.
– Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
– Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
– Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection.
– Local retailers who sell lottery tickets earn a 5% commission on sales.
Since 1988, the Wisconsin Lottery has generated:
– Over $9.4 billion in revenue.
– $4.5 billion in property tax relief for Wisconsin homeowners.
– $936 million in commissions paid to Wisconsin retailers.
Odds of Winning Wisconsin Powerball
The odds of winning any prize in the Wisconsin Powerball are 1 in 24.9. The odds for the jackpot prize are 1 in 292 million.
Here are the odds broken down by prize:
– Jackpot (5 + PB): 1 in 292,201,338
– $1 million (5 only): 1 in 11,688,053.52
– $50,000 (4 + PB): 1 in 913,129.18
– $100 (4 only): 1 in 36,525.17
– $100 (3 + PB): 1 in 14,494.11
– $7 (3 only): 1 in 579.76
– $7 (2 + PB): 1 in 701.33
– $4 (1 + PB): 1 in 91.98
– $4 (PB only): 1 in 38.32
The more numbers matched, the higher the prize won and lower the odds. But a lucky player still has a 1 in 24.9 overall shot at winning something.
More Chances to Win
While winning the Wisconsin Powerball jackpot is rare, players can maximize their chances in these ways:
– Buy more tickets. This allows more number combinations and ticket purchases.
– Join an office pool, chip in with friends, or family to buy more tickets.
– Play group play tickets where Powerball numbers are divided amongst several tickets.
– Try the Power Play add-on for 2x to 10x multiplier on lower tier prizes.
– Use a lottery numbers picking strategy or quick picks. Don’t select own numbers.
– Keep playing consistently. Can’t win if don’t have a ticket. Persistence pays off for some lucky winners.
Conclusion
In summary, the Wisconsin Powerball offers life-changing jackpots in the millions and even hundreds of millions. Tickets can be purchased online and at authorized lottery retailers. Drawings take place every Wednesday and Saturday night. Winners have 180 days to claim prizes. Jackpots start at $40 million and roll over when not won. Powerball ticket sales support state causes like education and Wisconsin veterans. Players have a 1 in 25 shot at winning any prize. With smart play, Wisconsin residents have the chance to become the state’s next Powerball winner.
