The United Kingdom is set to introduce its version of the Powerball lottery later this month, offering players the chance to compete alongside participants from the United States for jackpots potentially exceeding £1 billion. Tickets will go on sale from July 21, with the inaugural draw scheduled for July 23, subject to final regulatory approval.
Operated by Allwyn, the National Lottery’s Powerball launch marks the first time the game, which is among the world’s largest jackpot lotteries, will run outside the US. UK players will pay £4 per line to enter and will join games involving 48 US lotteries, competing for uncapped jackpots starting at £12 million. The prize can roll over repeatedly, potentially reaching sums in the hundreds of millions or even billions of pounds. Jackpots will be paid out over a 30-year period.
The UK version of Powerball incorporates prize tiers unique to domestic players. In addition to the standard prize levels, UK participants have access to a “match two main numbers” tier with a fixed £8 payout and a “match five main numbers” tier offering a fixed £1 million prize. To win the jackpot, players must match five main numbers plus the Powerball number. However, the odds of winning the top prize stand at approximately one in 292 million.
Allwyn’s chief executive Andria Vidler highlighted the potential impact of the new game, stating that Powerball jackpots "can soar into the billions, offering breathtaking sums with the potential to transform lives and communities." She also emphasized the importance of the lottery in supporting various good-cause projects across the UK, including initiatives in health, education, arts, sports, and heritage.
The Powerball launch follows a significant overhaul of the National Lottery’s draw-based games earlier this year. Changes introduced on June 7 allow players to have two chances to win for every £2 ticket, which is expected to substantially increase the number of Lotto millionaires. This reform came alongside a £450 million technology upgrade that involved migrating millions of player records and billions of transactions to new platforms, enhancing the overall player and retail experience.
National Lottery sales reached £8.1 billion in 2025, marking a 3.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over £1.7 billion was raised for good causes, while nearly £1 billion was collected in taxes. With Powerball’s introduction, lottery organizers anticipate heightened interest and increased sales, as players pursue one of the largest jackpots ever offered in the UK.