Powerball [41 Pa.B. 6945]
[Saturday, December 24, 2011]In accordance with 61 Pa. Code § 871.21 (relating to future changes to Powerball), the Secretary of Revenue (Secretary) announces the following changes to the Powerball regulations.
The Secretary, having determined that it is impractical and contrary to the public interest to defer notice to the public of changes to the Powerball game, has given actual knowledge of the document to the persons whom the document is primarily directed in accordance with 1 Pa. Code § 13.74 (relating to effectiveness prior to publication) by press release dated on or before December 16, 2011, of the following changes to the Powerball regulations.
These changes will affect ticket sales beginning on Sunday, January 15, 2012, for the Powerball drawing on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. The changes to the regulation will be codified as paragraph (5) in 61 Pa. Code § 871.22 (relating to changes to Powerball):
(5) Changes effective for Powerball tickets sold on or after January 15, 2012:
(i) Section 871.2(a) (relating to game description and purpose). Powerball is a five out of 59 plus one out of 35 on-line lottery game which pays the grand prize on an annuitized, parimutuel basis. Except as provided in this chapter, all other prizes are paid on a set cash basis.
(ii) Section 871.3 (relating to definitions).
Grand prize winnings pool—An amount constituting 31.9756% of gross sales from all participating states for a particular Powerball game drawing for the purpose of paying winning grand prizes in that drawing. The grand prize winnings pool includes prize money allocated to the grand prize category from prior Powerball game drawings in which there were no winning grand prize tickets. A portion of this pool is used to fund prize reserve accounts until those accounts achieve maximum balances.
Panel or game panel—One of five areas of the Powerball bet slip that contains two number grids. The upper grids (first set numbers) contain 59 squares, each numbered 1 through 59 and the lower grids (second set numbers) contain 35 squares, each numbered 1 through 35. Each panel is lettered either A, B, C, D or E.
Powerball number or second set number—The number selected from the second group of numbers, from 1 through 35, appearing in the lower grid of a Powerball game panel.
Quick pick—The random selection by the Lottery's computer system of five numbers from 1 through 59 and a Powerball number from 1 through 35 that appear on a ticket in the Powerball game.
Second set numbers—The second group of numbers, from 1 through 35, appearing in the lower grid of a Powerball game panel.
Set prize winnings pool—An amount constituting 18.0244% of gross sales for the current drawing and any monies carried forward from previous draws.
Ticket—A Powerball ticket, produced by an on-line terminal from a licensed on-line retailer in an authorized manner, containing a letter prefix followed by five selected numbers from 1 through 59 and a single selected Powerball number from 1 through 35 for each basic play, ticket validation number data, drawing date, amount betand any applicable promotion exercised by the player. Each set of five numbers and the Powerball number constitutes a basic play of which there may be one or more, up to five on a ticket.
Winning numbers—Six numbers, the first five numbers from 1 through 59, and the Powerball number from 1 through 35, selected at a Powerball drawing and subsequently validated by the MUSL, which shall be used to determine the winning Powerball plays.
Editor's note: This is a partial listing of the definitions applicable to Powerball. See § 871.3 (relating to definitions) for additional definitions.
(iii) Section 871.5 (relating to ticket price). A Powerball ticket shall cost $2 per play. The power play option may be exercised, at the discretion of the player, for an additional $1 per play.
(iv) Section 871.6(a) (relating to Powerball bet slip and ticket characteristics and restrictions). For each basic play the player shall select, or request quick pick selection by the computer, five numbers and a single Powerball number, in one or more of the game panels on a Powerball bet slip. Powerball bet slips shall be available at no cost to the player. The minimum entry is $2. For $2, play one game; for $4, play two games; for $6, play three games; for $8, play four games; for $10, play five games. Players are also given the option to select a promotion verbally or on the bet slip at the time of purchase for an additional $1 for each play. Game panels shall be played in alphabetical order in accordance with the instructions printed on the Powerball bet slip. A Powerball bet slip has no pecuniary or prize value and does not constitute evidence of the purchase of a ticket or the numbers selected.
(v) Section 871.6(b). To purchase a ticket, players shall, in addition to the purchase price, submit a completed Powerball bet slip, or request number selections either by quick pick or manual terminal entry to an on-line retailer to have a ticket issued. To purchase a ticket at a Lottery self-service terminal that dispenses terminal-based Lottery tickets, the player shall designate the drawing date or dates for which the ticket is entered, number selections and may exercise the power play promotion for an additional $1 per play. The player may use a bet slip or the Quick Pick option at a Lottery self-service terminal that dispenses terminal-based Lottery tickets. The ticket shall contain five selected numbers and a single selected Powerball number for each play, ticket validation number data, drawing date, amount bet and any applicable promotion exercised by the player. This ticket shall be the only valid receipt for claiming a prize. The ticket shall only be valid for the drawing date or dates printed on the ticket. Retailers are not permitted to allow the attachment of any remote devices to a lottery terminal to enter plays except as otherwise provided in the MUSL rules.
(vi) Section 871.6(c). If Powerball bet slips are unavailable, number selections may be given to an on-line retailer in groups of five number selections and one Powerball number selection per game section for each $2 wagered as a basic play. The player may exercise the power play promotion for an additional $1 per play. The retailer shall manually enter the selections into the computer terminal.
(vii) Section 871.7(b) (relating to time, place and manner of conducting drawing). Place of drawing. A Powerball drawing will be conducted in a location selected by the MUSL.
(viii) Section 871.7(c). Manner of conducting drawing. The MUSL will draw at random five numbers from a set of balls numbered 1 through 59 and one Powerball number from a set of balls numbered 1 through 35 with the aid of mechanical drawing equipment. The drawings will be observed by security personnel and independent auditors and the validity of a drawing will be solely determined by the MUSL.
(viv) Section 871.8(a) (relating to expected prize payout percentages). Determination of expected prize payout percentages is as follows:
Tickets Containing The Following in One Single Lettered Game Section Prize Category Prize Payment Approximate Percentage
of Winnings Pool Allocated
to Prize Category**Five first set numbers and the Powerball number Grand Prize Grand Prize 63.9511% Five first set numbers Second Prize* $1,000,000 19.4038% Four first set numbers and the Powerball number Third Prize* $10,000 1.5409% Four first set numbers Fourth Prize* $100 .5239% Three first set numbers and the Powerball number Fifth Prize* $100 .8167% Three first set numbers Sixth Prize* $7 1.9437% Two first set numbers and the Powerball number Seventh Prize* $7 .9909% One first set number and the Powerball number Eighth Prize* $4 3.6097% The Powerball number Ninth Prize* $4 7.2194% * Indicates a set prize.
** Fifty percent of Powerball gross sales are allocated to the winnings pool for the payment of prizes.
(x) Section 871.8(c)(1). If the total of the set prizes awarded in a Powerball drawing exceeds the set prize pool which is 18.0244% of gross sales, the amount needed to fund the set prizes shall be drawn from the following sources in the following order:
(i) The amount allocated to the set prize tiers and carried forward from previous draws, if any.
(ii) An amount from the MUSL set prize reserve account, if available, not to exceed $40,000,000 per Powerball drawing.
(xi) Section 871.15 (relating to unclaimed prize money). Prize money on a winning Powerball play may be retained by the Secretary for payment to the person entitled to it. If within 1 year of the drawing date on the ticket, no claim is made on a winning play, as determined by the Secretary, the right to claim prize money terminates. For set prizes, the prize money will be paid into the State Lottery Fund and used for purposes otherwise provided for by statute. Unclaimed grand prize funds will be distributed among all MUSL Lotteries in proportion to each lottery's sales for the grand prize drawing.
(xii) Section 871.19 (relating to probability of winning). The probability of winning is as follows:
Tickets Containing The
Following in One Single
Lettered Game SectionPrize Category Probability of
Winning per PlayFive first set numbers and the
Powerball numberGrand Prize 1:175,223,510 Five first set numbers Second Prize 1:5,153,632.6471 Four first set numbers and the
Powerball numberThird Prize 1:648,975.9630 Four first set numbers Fourth Prize 1:19,087.5283 Three first set numbers and the
Powerball numberFifth Prize 1:12,244.8295 Three first set numbers Sixth Prize 1:360.1420 Two first set numbers and the
Powerball numberSeventh Prize 1:706.4325 One first set number and the
Powerball numberEighth Prize 1:110.8129 The Powerball number Ninth Prize 1:55.4065
(xiii) Section 871.20(a) (relating to power play promotion). The power play promotion shall be available in association with the Powerball game and will continue until the Secretary publicly announces a suspension or termination thereof. The power play promotion will be conducted in accordance with the Powerball rules except that players may purchase the power play option to increase set prizes won as a result of a Powerball drawing. The Powerball grand prize will not be eligible for an increase under the power play promotion. The Secretary will on occasion announce, as a special promotion, higher promotional prize amounts to be won with the power play promotion.
(xiv) Section 871.20(c) is deleted in its entirety.
(xv) Section 871.20(d). Powerball tickets that contain the power play option and one or more plays eligible for Powerball second through ninth category prizes identified in § 871.8(a) (relating to expected prize payout percentages) shall be entitled to a total set prize identified in § 871.20(j) (relating to power play promotion), unless a higher limited promotional prize amount is announced by the Secretary.
(xvi) Section 871.20(e). The prize pool for power play set prizes shall consist of up to 49.96% of power play sales after Powerball prize reserve accounts are funded to the amounts set by the MUSL. The prize pool percentage allocated to power play set prizes shall be carried forward to subsequent power play drawings if all or a portion of the percentage is not required to pay the set prizes for the current power play drawing.
(xvii) Section 871.20(f). An additional 0.04% of power play sales may be collected and placed in prize reserve accounts until the prize reserve accounts meet the amounts designated by the MUSL. Any amount remaining in prize reserve accounts at the end of the power play promotion shall be carried forward to a replacement prize reserve account or expended in a manner as directed by the MUSL Powerball Product Group in accordance with State law.
(xviii) Section 871.20(g). If, with respect to a single Powerball drawing, the total of the Powerball set prizes without the power play option and the Powerball set prizes increased by the power play option exceeds the percentage of the prize pools allocated to the set prizes, the amount needed to fund those combined set prizes shall be drawn from the following sources in the following order:
(1) The amount allocated to the set prizes and carried forward from previous Powerball drawings, if any.
(2) An amount from the Powerball set prize reserve account, if available, not to exceed $40,000,000 per drawing.
(xix) Section 871.20(h). If the sources set forth in subsection (g) are depleted and there still are not sufficient funds to pay the set prizes for a particular Powerball drawing, the highest set prize, including the prize increased by the power play option, shall become a parimutuel prize. If the amount of the highest set prize, when paid as a parimutuel prize, is less than or equal to the next highest set prize and there are still not sufficient funds to pay the remaining prizes, the next highest set prize, including the prize increased by the power play option, shall become a parimutuel prize. If necessary under the same test set forth in the preceding sentence, each succeeding set prize level shall be converted to a parimutuel prize, in order, until all set prizes become parimutuel. If all set prizes are converted to parimutuel prizes, the money available from the funding sources listed in subsection (g) shall be divided among the winning plays in proportion to their respective prize percentages.
(xx) Section 871.20(j). Except as otherwise provided, all power play set prizes shall be paid in single, lump-sum payments. Power play prize levels shall be paid as follows:
Prize Level Power Play Set Prize Amount Second Prize $2,000,000
Third Prize $40,000
Fourth Prize $200 Fifth Prize $200
Sixth Prize $14
Seventh Prize $14 Eighth Prize $12
Ninth Prize $12 (xxi) Section 871.20(k). When the Powerball set prizes become parimutuel, the Powerball set prize amounts will be less than the amount shown and the power play prizes for the second through the ninth category prizes shall be reduced as announced by the MUSL Powerball Product Group.
(xxii) Section 871.20(l) is deleted in its entirety.
(xxiii) Section 871.22(1)(vi) (relating to changes to Powerball) is deleted in its entirety.
DANIEL MEUSER,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-2200. Filed for public inspection December 23, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]
