US Powerball FAQ's
Q: When does the draw take place?
A: Thursday and Sunday at around 4am GMT.
Q: Where can I get the results for the US Powerball?
A: All of the the latest results and historic results are found in the US Powerball Results page,
alternatively you can use our US Powerball ticket checker to check your recent ticket.
Q: On the US Powerball ticket, how is it possible to have the same number twice on one line?
A: Since you select five numbers from 1 through 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 through 25, it is
possible to repeat a number for your Mega Ball number.
Q: Will I be notified if I win?
A: Depending on how much you win we will notify by you by phone, text ,email or all of the previous.
Q: Can I remain anonymous if I win?
A: Of course you can. We invite all of our big winners to take part in a photo shoot and attend a
payment ceremony. However we respect that many of our winners would not welcome the publicity and
that they have the ability to decline our offer.
Q: What happens to unclaimed prizes?
A: Unclaimed prizes are kept by the lottery jurisdiction. If a Grand Prize goes unclaimed, the money
must be returned to all lotteries in proportion to their sales for the draw run. The lotteries then
distribute the money, based on their own jurisdiction's laws, to other lottery games or to their
jurisdiction's general fund, or otherwise as required by law.
Q: What happens if a Powerball jackpot winner dies before all payments have been made?
A: The Powerball annual payment option prize will go into the deceased winner's estate. Annual prize
payments can continue to be paid to heirs, or the annual payment option may be cashed out by the
winner's estate.
Q: How long do I have to claim my winnings?
A: All winnings have to be claimed within a 60 day period of the draw.
Q: Are the prizes just split between onepoundlotto.com players?
A: No. As you are purchasing official tickets , prizes are split between official US
Powerballplayers.
Q: Are the prizes guaranteed?
A: As all of the prizes are paid by the official lottery operator they are guaranteed by them.
Q: Can I get a scanned copy of the physical ticket when I make a purchase?
A: Not yet, however we are currently building that functionality in to the site. So watch this
space!
Q: Do I pay tax on my winnings?
A: Unfortunately yes. Tax is imposed on the winner by the federal and (some) state governments of
The United States of America.
Q: Who is responsible for paying the tax?
A: That responsibility falls on the the player and not www.onepoundlotto.com
Q: How much tax will I expect to pay on the Mega Millions?
A: The potential tax bite can depend on the State that the ticket is purchased. However Lottery
winnings in the US are subject to a Federal tax of 24%. This will be withheld upon winning by the
IRS. This is called Federal Withholding.
Using the example below with one of the US Powerball record Jackpot wins we can see the potential tax bite (US Customers only). Please note that the example is also taking in to consideration the “Lump Sum” option.
|
Element |
$1.6 billion US Powerball Jackpot |
|
Lump sum option |
$904 million |
|
24% federal tax withholding |
Less $217 million |
|
13% more (diff. Bet. 24% and top tax rate of 37% |
Less $117.5 million |
|
State tax of 0% to 10.76 |
Less 0 to $97.2 million |
|
After-tax bottom line |
$472.3million to $569.5 |
Q: Do I have to pay Tax on the US US Powerball if I live outside the US?
A: The short answer is Yes. Expect to pay 24% . The full explanation is that as we at
www.onepoundlotto.com are purchasing the physical ticket for you in the US. As such the purchase of
the ticket would be treated as if it was purchased in the US and subject to the local tax laws,
federal and state.
Q: If I am playing from the UK can I claim the tax back?
A: Actually yes! As the UK does not pay Tax on gambling revenue as it is not seen as a source of
income, it is possible to claim it back. This is well worth doing especially when the tax bill could
be running in to hundreds of millions of pounds. Although we at www.onepoundlotto.com can not
guarantee or make any promise you that you would be able to claw back this money from the IRS. We
can say this “it has been done before and we have worked with operators who has successfully done
this”. We will gladly advice you but can not complete this task for you.
Q: Do I have to pay state tax if I play on www.onepoundlotto.com?
A: Actually no, this is one tax that we can avoid for you! As state tax varies from state to state
in the US, some states are actually a 0% state tax rate on Lottery winnings. One of these such
states is Delaware. This is where we source all of our US lottery tickets from.
Q: Do I have to pay state tax if I play on the US Powerball on www.onepoundlotto.com from a US state
that does impose a state tax?
A: In short no. Even if you were playing in New York State (one of regions with the highest State
Tax rate) we will still purchase your ticket from Delaware State.
Q: Which US States have the highest State Tax on Lottery Winnings?
A: As of 2020: New Jersey = 10.76%
Minnesota = 9.85%
Columbia = 8.95%
New York = 8.75%
Vermont = 8.75%
Iowa = 8.53%
Wisconsin =7.65%
Oregon = 7.6%
Maine = 7.15%
South Carolina 7.0%
These can vary slightly depending on the exact threshold where the top tax rate kick in . For example in Oregon you would pay 6.6% up until $1 million then 7.6% on anything over.
Q: Which US States have the lowest State Tax on Lottery Winnings?
A: As of 2020: Florida = 0%
South Dakota = 0%
Texas = 0%
Washington = 0%
Wyoming = 0%
California = 0%
Delaware = 0%
Tennessee = 1.0%
North Dakota = 2.9%
Pennsylvania = 3.07%
Q: How much do you have to win before you incur taxes on lottery winnings?
A: $5,000 or more.
Q: If I was on a Lotto Betting site would I have to pay taxes?
A: Yes all of the Lotto Betting sites will try and emulate the actual payments of the official
lottery. Even if this means that they will deduct a tax, even when no tax is being paid.
Q: Are there any hidden fees or charges that are incurred with a lottery win on
www.onepoundlotto.com?
A: No! Local taxation and annuity payments on the US Powerball are clearly outlined. We do not take
a cut of your winnings. Some of our competitors such as Lottland may have hidden charges . Look out
for things such as a 38% tax when the actual rate of tax on US Powerball is 37% . 1% may not sound
like a lot but on a win as big as $904 millions this would equate to $9.04 million.
Q: What are the payout options?
A: If you are a US Powerballjackpot winner, you will have the choice of a Cash Option or an Annual
Payout (Annuity option).
Q: What is Annuity?
A: Please refer to our “US MegaMillions annuity” section.
Q: What is the “Lump Sum Option”?
A: Jackpot winners will be able to select to either the “Lump Sum” option or the “Anuinity” option.
If they select to take a lump sum they will have their winnings paid to them in one payment. This
payment will be lower than the advertised jackpot amount.
Q: If I am a winner on www.onepoundlottery.com how long do I have to decide on which pay out option I
would like to choose?
A: 60 days
Q: How much do I get paid if I choose the “Lump Sum” option?
A: This varies from each draw, there is no set percentage. It is decided at each jackpot level and
advertised at that time mainly based on sales. It is determined by the Multi-State Lottery for all
participating Lotteries. As an example on the 06/11/20 the US Powerball draw Cash Option was set as
77.8% (gross, prior to taxes) of the advertised jackpot.
Q: How is the US Powerball revenue split?
A: About 50 % goes to prize winners;5 % to retailers, 5% to state general funds, 29% goes in to
education and the 11% is classed as other ( this includes marketing and operations)
Q: If I buy a US Powerball ticket am I contributing to good causes?
A: With about 29% of US Powerball revenue supposedly going to education most people would argue that
this is a good cause. The 5% that goes to state general funds, is also used for other good causes.
But this is open to interpretation.
Q: If I buy a ticket on www.onepoundlotto.com am I contributing to good causes?
A: Absolutely yes as you are purchasing an official ticket?
Q: Who owns the US Powerball Lottery?
A: It is owned and coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) . They are a not for
profit organisation formed by an agreement with US lotteries.
Q: Do most winners prefer to take the lump sum or the annuity pay out option?
A: Most winner take the lump sum pay out option.
Q: I got an email asking me to send money to collect a Powerball prize. Is it legitimate?
A: One Poundl Lotto will never ask you to pay a fee to collect a Powerball prize. If you are asked
to pay a fee to claim a prize, you are likely being scammed, and you should not share any personal
or banking information with those entities.
Q: Is Powerball giving away prize money on Facebook?
A: In the past, Facebook users have reported notices that indicate Powerball is giving away prize
money on Facebook. These notices are false and fraudulent. One Pound Lotto will never contact prize
winners through Facebook.
Q: Do you have to be a US citizen to purchase US Powerball tickets.
A: No, anyone visiting the US , can purchase a ticket if they are in a participating state. However
as a onepoundlotto.com customer we will anonymously purchase the ticket on your behalf in the US via
our network of trusted agents. So you can play anywhere.
Q: What is the Power Play Feature?
A: This is an additional option where players can pay an extra $1 and be able to multiply
non-jackpot prizes by 2,3,4,5 or 10 times.
Q: How do I know what the Multiplier number will be?
A: The multiplier number is not known at the time of ticket purchase. Is it randomly selected just
before each televised draw begins.
Q: Why is the x10 multiplier not always available?
A: It is only in play when the advertised Jackpot is less than $150 million.
Q: Does the Multiplier apply to Jackpot prizes?
A: No.
Q: Is the Match 5 prize with Power Play always the same?
A: Yes, it is always $2 million.
Q: Is the Power Play Feature available on onepoundlotto.com?
A: Not currently, but watch this space!
Q: Where is the US Powerball draw held?
A: Since 2009 when Florida joined the Powerball they also took over the draw. It is now at Universal
Studios in Orlando. Previously it's home had been Sceenscape Studios in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Q: Where can I watch the Powerball Draw?
A: www.powerball.com/watch-draw . There is also a list of TV stations that show the draw, plus they
available on Youtube.