The National Lottery is preparing to introduce its biggest jackpot game yet to the UK, with top prizes that could climb into the billions.
Powerball, long associated with huge wins in the United States, has until now been available only to American players. That is set to change when the game opens to British ticket-buyers from Tuesday 21 July.
Allwyn, the operator of the National Lottery, has confirmed the planned launch date for the UK version of Powerball, pending final regulatory approval.
From July 21, players will be able to buy a Powerball line for £4 through National Lottery retailers, as well as via the National Lottery website and app.
UK players will be able to take part in draws offering uncapped jackpots starting at £12million, with the potential to rise into the hundreds of millions or even billions.
The launch means players in Britain and the US will be competing for the same “mega” jackpot, with any UK winners receiving the prize over a 30-year period.
To win the shared jackpot, British entrants will need to match five main numbers as well as the Powerball. For UK winners, the jackpot would be paid out across three decades.
The UK edition will also include an additional prize level called “Match 2 main numbers”, which is exclusive to British players and pays a fixed £8 prize.
Lottery operators’ Powerball game was previously only open to people in the US but will land for British ticket-buyers from Tuesday July 21 onwards
Aspiring players are being told they can buy a a £4 Powerball line in National Lottery retailers and on the National Lottery website or app from July 21
The ‘Match 5 main numbers’ tier also touts a fixed prize of £1million, while all other UK prize tiers offer prizes depending on the balls drawn and the number of winners in each tier.
If the Powerball jackpot – presently estimated at $416m (£312million) -– continues to roll until the UK launch, UK players could get to scoop what is described as serious ‘Powerball Money’ in the opening draw on July 23.
The launch of Powerball follows on from changes that Allwyn made to the flagship Lotto game last month.
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One £2 Lotto line now gives players two chances to win – and since the first revamped Lotto draw on June 10, 27 new millionaires have been created.
The Powerball game now launching in the UK was founded back in 1992.
The biggest-ever Powerball winner pocketed more than $2.04billion (£1.53billion) in 2022.
Lottery operaters say Powerball has also generated, over the past 34 years, an estimated $38billion (£28billion) for good causes including education and scholarships, veteran services, parks and recreation.
Allwyn chief executive 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.
UK consumers will get the chance of uncapped jackpots starting at £12million but which can surge into the hundreds of milions or even billions
‘Powerball jackpots can soar into the billions, offering breathtaking sums with the potential to transform lives and communities.’
Rebecca Paul, president and CEO of the Tennessee Lottery and ex-president of the World Lottery Association, said ‘This next step brings us closer to a thrilling milestone for Powerball.
‘More players means faster-growing jackpots, more excitement and even greater impact for the communities we serve.’
UK Powerball players can pick five main numbers ranging from one to 69, as well as one Powerball number from 1 to 26 – or else they can choose a Lucky Dip.
Tickets will be available to buy online or in store by 11.55pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The draws then happen at about 4am the following morning – on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday – from the Powerball studio in Florida.
The National Lottery recently got a £450million major tech upgrade that involved moving 18million player records and more than 3billion historical transactions from old platforms to new ones, while transforming the technology used by retail partners.
Latest figures from Allwyn show total National Lottery sales, including lottery tickets bought in shops, came in at £8.1billion in 2025, up 3.5 per cent on the previous year.
More than £1.7billion was generated for good causes – incorporating funding for health, education, arts, sports heritage and charitable causes – and £967million was raised in taxes.
