NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:

Eva Robelia (608) 267-4822

 

 

MADISON — With a record-breaking Powerball jackpot of $340 million, the Match 5 BONUS Prize feature, added to Powerball in 2002, kicks in for the first time.  This feature is designed to increase the cash prize for those players who only match 5 of 5 white numbers, commonly called the Match 5 Prize.

 

“It is exciting to announce this feature which spreads Powerball excitement and winnings even further,” said Michael Edmonds, Director of the Wisconsin Lottery.  “This is just one way to keep our game fresh and exciting and a continued source of fun for players.”

 

The portion of sales normally added to the record jackpot amount above $340 million will be moved to the new BONUS Prize pool.  Only when the Powerball jackpot is hit, winners of the Match 5 prize will receive the BONUS Prize payout.  If the jackpot rolls, so does the BONUS Prize pool. The Match 5 BONUS Prize is automatic at no additional cost to the player. 

The usual Match 5 prize is $200,000 and can be increased up to $1 million with purchase of the Power Play multiplier option.  This option allows a player to purchase a multiplier (ranging from the numbers 2 to 5) for one additional dollar, and if the multiplier is hit, it could multiply a Match 5 winning by anywhere from 2 to 5 times.

 

Here’s how the Match 5 BONUS Prize pool works:

• Once the Powerball is at a record-level, the jackpot will increase by $25 million increments.  Any additional funds that would have gone into the jackpot will instead go into the Match 5 Bonus Prize pool that will be divided equally among any Match 5 prize winners in the drawing in which the jackpot is hit.
• Match 5 Bonus prizes are paid in a lump sum.
• Players who match 5 of 5 white balls for the drawing still win $200,000 or $200,000 times the Power Play multiplier number if the player purchased that option.  The BONUS prize will then be added to this total.  The BONUS prize is not multiplied by the Power Play option.
• The BONUS Prize pool grows until the jackpot is won.  The BONUS Prize pool grows just as the primary jackpot pool rolls and is paid out only when there is a jackpot winner.
• Check www.powerball.com for the latest information on the size of the growing BONUS Prize pool.

 With the jackpot climbing so high and many people playing for the first time, the Wisconsin Lottery would like to remind players to play responsibly.  A player’s chances of claiming the jackpot don’t significantly increase whether he or she spends $1 or $100.  In fact, many of Wisconsin’s Powerball winners have spent $5 or less on their winning tickets.

 

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, you can contact the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-GAMBLE-5 for assistance.