Powerball is a popular multi-state lottery game in the United States that is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association. Players select five white ball numbers from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26. To win the Powerball jackpot, players must match all 6 numbers.
Powerball can only be played in 45 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Massachusetts is one of the participating Powerball states. This means that Massachusetts residents can purchase Powerball tickets and have a chance to win huge jackpot prizes.
One common question Massachusetts residents may have is: what time can you buy Powerball tickets in Massachusetts until? Knowing the cutoff time for Powerball ticket sales can help players ensure they get their tickets in time for the next drawing.
In this comprehensive guide, we will provide the key facts on Powerball ticket sale times in Massachusetts. We will cover the standard cutoff time, as well as any extensions for large jackpots. We will also provide tips for making sure you don’t miss the deadline to play.
What is the Standard Powerball Ticket Cutoff Time in Massachusetts?
The standard deadline for Powerball ticket sales in Massachusetts is 10:00 PM EST on the date of the drawing.
All Powerball tickets must be purchased by this time in order to be eligible for that night’s drawing. If you attempt to buy a ticket after 10:00 PM, it will actually be for the next drawing (held 3 times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings).
The 10:00 PM EST deadline applies to buying Powerball tickets at retail lottery locations, online at the Massachusetts State Lottery website, or through the lottery’s mobile app. This cutoff time is strictly enforced – tickets are not valid if purchased after this deadline.
Massachusetts shares the 10:00 PM ticket sales deadline with many other states that participate in Powerball, including nearby states such as Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Having the same cutoff time makes administration of the multi-state game more consistent.
So in summary, standard practice is that Powerball ticket sales stop at 10:00 PM EST in Massachusetts on draw nights. Players should be sure to buy their tickets before this deadline in order to participate in that night’s jackpot.
Are There Extensions for Large Jackpots?
While 10:00 PM EST is the normal cutoff time in Massachusetts, the State Lottery does sometimes extend the deadline when the Powerball jackpot gets exceptionally large.
For drawings when the advertised jackpot annuity value exceeds $150 million, ticket sales may remain open an extra 1 to 2 hours past the usual closing time.
For example, leading up to the record $1.586 billion Powerball drawing on January 13, 2016, Massachusetts allowed ticket sales until 11:00 PM EST due to massive demand. The lottery wanted to give residents extra time to buy their tickets with the jackpot skyrocketing to unprecedented levels.
When the jackpot exceeds $150 million, players should check with their local lottery retailer or the Massachusetts State Lottery website to find out if an extension has been granted. News outlets may also broadcast announcements about any extended hours for ticket purchases.
Outside of these special cases, however, the standard 10:00 PM EST cutoff will apply. So on most draw nights, Powerball players in Massachusetts need to adhere to the 10:00 PM deadline.
Purchasing Tickets Online Before the Deadline
When shopping online at the Massachusetts State Lottery website, players should be careful to complete their Powerball ticket purchases well before 10:00 PM on draw nights.
That’s because ticket sales online stop at 9:50 PM EST – 10 minutes earlier than the deadline at retail locations. The online sales cutoff at 9:50 PM allows time for the Lottery to process the ticket order and transfer players their ticket numbers.
If you attempt to buy Powerball tickets online after 9:50 PM, the transaction will not go through. You will miss out on that night’s drawing.
The 9:50 PM online ticket sales cutoff applies both on regular nights and during special extensions for large jackpots exceeding $150 million. Make sure to finish your online ticket purchases by 9:50 PM to safely secure your entries.
Buying Tickets In-Person at Retailers
When buying Powerball tickets in person from Massachusetts retailers, you have until the posted closing time to make your purchases. This is typically 10:00 PM EST but may extend later for very large jackpots.
Just be aware that lines at retail outlets often get very long when the jackpot is high. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to get your tickets, as you may run out of time.
It’s recommended to buy your Powerball tickets earlier in the day or evening when jackpots are elevated. Waiting until close to the deadline risks the retailer running out of tickets or closing before you can be served.
You should also confirm the retailer’s closing time for Powerball sales. While it is usually 10:00 PM, some may have slightly different hours. Certain stores may also close earlier than the statewide Powerball deadline.
Allow enough leeway so you don’t miss out. Arriving when the store is less busy increases the chances you can quickly get your Powerball tickets.
Deadline for Powerball Ticket Redemptions
Note that winning Powerball tickets in Massachusetts must be redeemed within one year from the date of the drawing.
For example, any tickets that won prizes on the October 31, 2022 drawing must be cashed in by October 31, 2023.
The one-year redemption deadline applies to all prize amounts, from $2 up to the jackpot. Be sure to check any old tickets to see if you have any expired winners.
Unclaimed prizes in the state go into the State Lottery Fund to be used for beneficiary purposes, such as local aid. So don’t let your prizes go uncollected!
Key Tips for Meeting the Powerball Ticket Deadline
Here are some key tips to ensure you can buy Powerball tickets in time for the drawing in Massachusetts:
- Know that the standard ticket sales cutoff is 10:00 PM EST
- Check if the deadline is extended for jackpots exceeding $150 million
- Finish online ticket purchases by 9:50 PM EST
- Arrive early at retailers when jackpots are high
- Confirm the closing time with your retailer
- Don’t wait until the last minute before the deadline
Following these tips will help ensure you never miss the chance to play Powerball in Massachusetts due to a missed ticket deadline.
Where to Play Powerball in Massachusetts
Powerball tickets can be purchased at hundreds of retail locations across Massachusetts. Some of the most convenient places to buy tickets include:
- Grocery stores
- Convenience stores
- Gas stations
- Liquor stores
- Massachusetts State Lottery agents
You can also purchase Powerball tickets online through the State Lottery’s website at www.masslottery.com. An account is required to buy tickets online.
The Lottery also offers a mobile app to play Powerball via iOS or Android devices. This provides an easy way to get your tickets digitally.
Be sure to only purchase Massachusetts Powerball tickets from authorized State Lottery retailers or directly through the Lottery’s online services. Other third-party websites are prohibited from facilitating ticket sales.
Playing responsibly within your entertainment budget is always important. The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gaming operates a confidential 24/7 help line at 1-800-426-1234 for anyone needing resources to reduce gambling behavior.
How to Play the Powerball Game
Playing Powerball in Massachusetts is easy! Just follow these steps:
- Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls. These can be chosen manually or through the quick pick option.
- Pick 1 number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. This can also be manual or quick pick.
- Purchase your ticket before the 10:00 PM EST deadline (or extended deadline when advertised) from an authorized Massachusetts State Lottery retailer or through the state’s online/mobile services.
- Check the winning numbers after the nightly drawing at 10:59 PM EST. Match all 6 numbers to win the jackpot!
The Powerball jackpot starts at $20 million and continues growing until someone wins the top prize. Secondary prizes range from $4 to $2 million for matching some of the winning numbers.
Powerball has produced many multi-millionaires in Massachusetts over the years. With jackpots frequently reaching hundreds of millions of dollars, the prizes provide plenty of excitement.
Just don’t forget the 10:00 PM ticket cutoff time so you have a chance to participate. Follow our tips to never miss the opportunity to play Powerball in the state!
Powerball Winning Statistics for Massachusetts
Since joining Powerball in 2010, there have been some notable wins in Massachusetts:
- August 2017 – $758.7 million Powerball jackpot won by a Chicopee resident. This remains the largest state lottery prize ever awarded in the U.S.
- May 2016 – $50,000 Powerball prize won in Springfield.
- January 2016 – $1 million Powerball prize won in Berkley.
- October 2015 – $1 million Powerball prize won in Pittsfield.
In Fiscal Year 2022, the Massachusetts State Lottery paid out over $166 million in Powerball prizes across more than 1.5 million winning tickets.
While the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292 million, the overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are much better at 1 in 25. Prizes start at just $4 for matching the red Powerball only.
With millions in prizes awaiting, Powerball is a fun game that many Massachusetts residents enjoy playing for entertainment. Just don’t wait until the last minute to buy your tickets!
Conclusion
The standard deadline for buying Powerball tickets in Massachusetts is 10:00 PM EST on nights of the drawings. For very large jackpots exceeding $150 million, sales may be extended an extra hour or two past the usual closing time.
To participate in Powerball, be sure to buy your tickets from authorized retailers or the State Lottery’s online/mobile services before these posted cutoff times. Arrive early when jackpots are high, as lines tend to get long leading up to the deadline.
Following these tips will help ensure you are able to securely purchase your Powerball tickets for the next drawing in Massachusetts. Just don’t wait until the last minute, or you risk the deadline expiring before you are able to play!
