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CHAPTER 871. POWERBALL Sec.
871.1. Creation.
871.2. Game description and purpose.
871.3. Definitions.
871.4. Ticket sales retailers.
871.5. Ticket price.
871.6. Powerball bet slip and ticket characteristics and restrictions.
871.7. Time, place and manner of conducting drawing.
871.8. Expected prize payout percentages.
871.9. Powerball prize payments.
871.10. Funding of guaranteed prizes.
871.11. Ticket responsibility.
871.12. Ticket validation requirements.
871.13. Procedures for claiming and payment of Powerball prizes.
871.14. Parimutuel prize pool.
871.15. Unclaimed prize money.
871.16. Withholding.
871.17. Purchase and prize restrictions.
871.18. Governing law.
871.19. Probability of winning.
871.20. Power play promotion.
871.21. Future changes to Powerball.
871.22. Changes to Powerball.Authority The provisions of this Chapter 871 issued under section 303 of the State Lottery Law (72 P. S. § 3761-303), unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Chapter 871 adopted June 7, 2002, effective June 8, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 2758, unless otherwise noted.
§ 871.1. Creation.
Under the act and this part, there is created a numbers game, called Powerball, which will commence at the discretion of the Secretary, and will continue until the Secretary publicly announces a suspension or termination date.
§ 871.2. Game description and purpose.
(a) Powerball is a five out of 49 plus one out of 42 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.
(b) The purpose of the Powerball game is to determine winners from ticket holders matching five numbers from 1 through 49, and matching the separately drawn Powerball number, or a designated combination thereof, within a single play, with the five winning numbers and the Powerball number to be randomly drawn. Drawings will be conducted twice a week or as publicly announced by the Secretary.
(c) The object of the game is for a player to select, in a single play on a ticket, five numbers and the Powerball number that match the numbers and the Powerball number drawn for the game in which the ticket is participating. Correctly matching the six winning numbers consisting of the five numbers drawn plus the Powerball number drawn, and meeting other validation criteria, entitles the ticket holder to the grand prize identified in § 871.8 (relating to expected prize payout percentages).
Cross References This section cited in 61 Pa. Code § 871.22 (relating to changes to Powerball).
§ 871.4. Ticket sales retailers.
(a) Powerball game ticket sales may only be made through licensed on-line retailers the Director will appoint and contract with as provided in § 815.42 (relating to ticket sales agents).
(b) The Lottery may terminate sales by a retailer without prior notice to the retailer if the retailer becomes delinquent in payment of proceeds due the Lottery, fails to handle Lottery funds in the prescribed manner, if the retailer breaches the contract or an addendum thereof, this part or procedures established governing the sale of tickets or if the Lottery deems it to be in the best interest of the Commonwealth.
§ 871.5. Ticket price.
A Powerball ticket shall cost $1 per play. The power play option may be exercised, at the discretion of the player, for an additional $1 per play.
§ 871.6. Powerball bet slip and ticket characteristics and restrictions.
(a) 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 $1. For $1, play game A; for $2, play games A and B; for $3, play games A, B and C; for $4, play games A, B, C and D; for $5, play games A, B, C, D and E. 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.
(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. 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.
(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 $1 wagered as a basic play. The retailer shall manually enter the selections into the computer terminal.
(d) A Powerball ticket may not be canceled or voided once printed by the Lottery terminal, even if the ticket is printed in error.
(e) It shall be the sole responsibility of the player to verify the accuracy of the game play or plays and other data printed on the ticket. The placing of plays is done at the players own risk through the on-line retailer who is acting on behalf of the player in entering the play or plays.
(f) A player may select numbers for up to 26 drawings, specifically the next drawing and the 25 subsequent drawings.
(g) A ticket may not be issued for a drawing after the specified sales cut-off time prior to the drawing, as announced by the Secretary or a designee.
§ 871.7. Time, place and manner of conducting drawing.
(a) Time of drawing. A Powerball drawing will be held twice a week or as publicly announced by the Secretary.
(b) Place of drawing. A Powerball drawing will be conducted in a location selected by the MUSL in West Des Moines, Iowa, or other location selected by the MUSL for promotional or other reasons.
(c) Manner of conducting drawings. The MUSL will draw at random five numbers from a set of balls numbered 1 through 49 and one Powerball number from a set of balls numbered 1 through 42 with the aid of mechanical drawing equipment. All drawings will be observed by security personnel and independent auditors and the validity of a drawing will be solely determined by the MUSL.
Cross References This section cited in 61 Pa. Code § 871.13 (relating to procedures for claiming and payment of Powerball prizes); and 61 Pa. Code § 871.22 (relating to changes to Powerball).
§ 871.10. Funding of guaranteed prizes.
The MUSL Powerball Product Group may offer guaranteed minimum grand prize amounts or minimum increases in the grand prize amount between drawings or make other changes in the allocation of prize money where the MUSL Powerball Product Group finds that it would be in the best interest of the game. If a minimum grand prize amount or a minimum increase in the grand prize amount between drawings is offered by the Product Group, the grand prize shares shall be determined as follows:
(1) If there are multiple grand prize winners during a single drawing, each selecting the annuitized option prize, then a winners share of the guaranteed annuitized grand prize shall be determined by dividing the guaranteed annuitized grand prize by the number of winners.
(2) If there are multiple grand prize winners during a single drawing and at least one of the grand prize winners has elected the annuitized option prize, the best bid submitted by the MUSLs preapproved qualified brokers shall determine the cash pool needed to fund the guaranteed annuitized grand prize.
(3) If no winner of the grand prize during a single drawing has elected the annuitized option prize, the amount of cash in the grand prize pool shall be an amount equal to the guaranteed annuitized amount divided by the average annuity factor of the most recent three best quotes provided by the MUSLs preapproved qualified brokers submitting quotes.
(4) Quotes will not be used which are more than 2 weeks old, and if less than three quotes are submitted, the MUSL shall use the average of all quotes submitted.
(5) Changes in the allocation of prize money shall be designed to retain approximately the same prize allocation percentages, over a years time, as set forth in § 871.8 (relating to expected prize payout percentages). Minimum guaranteed prizes or increases may be waived if the alternate funding mechanism as set forth in § 871.8 becomes necessary.
§ 871.11. Ticket responsibility.
(a) A ticket is a bearer document deemed to be owned by the person holding the ticket, except that if a signature is contained on the ticket, the person so named will, for all purposes, be considered the owner of the ticket.
(b) The Commonwealth will not be responsible for lost or stolen tickets.
(c) The purchaser of the ticket has the sole responsibility for checking the accuracy and condition of the data printed on the ticket.
This section cited in 61 Pa. Code § 871.9 (relating to Powerball prize payments); and 61 Pa. Code § 871.12 (relating to ticket validation requirements).
§ 871.14. Parimutuel prize pool.
(a) The prize pool for all prize categories shall consist of 50% of each drawing periods sales after the prize reserve accounts are funded to the amounts set by the MUSL Powerball Product Group. Any amount remaining in the prize pool at the end of the game shall be carried forward to a replacement game or expended in a manner as directed by the MUSL Powerball Product Group in accordance with State law.
(b) An amount equal to up to 2% of a party lotterys sales shall be deducted from a party lotterys grand prize pool and placed in trust in one or more prize reserve accounts until the party lotterys share of the prize reserve accounts reaches the amounts designated by the MUSL Powerball Product Group. Once the party lotterys share of the prize reserve accounts exceeds the designated amounts, the excess shall become part of the grand prize pool. The MUSL Powerball Product Group, with the approval of the Finance and Audit Committee, may establish a maximum balance for the prize reserve accounts. The shares of a party lottery may be adjusted with refunds to the party lottery from the prize reserve accounts as may be needed to maintain the approved maximum balance and shares of the party lotteries. Any amount remaining in a prize reserve account at the end of this game 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.
(c) If the prize pool for a drawing is not sufficient to fund an announced minimum grand prize, the prize pool will be increased as necessary in accordance with MUSL rules.
§ 871.15. 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 lotterys sales for the grand prize drawing.
Cross References This section cited in 61 Pa. Code § 871.22 (relating to changes to Powerball).
§ 871.16. Withholding.
Federal withholding taxes will be withheld by the Lottery for the prize payments in amounts required in accordance with applicable provisions of law.
§ 871.17. Purchase and prize restrictions.
(a) A Powerball ticket may not be purchased in this Commonwealth by, and a prize will not be paid to, an officer or employee of the Pennsylvania Lottery or any of the Lotterys professional services contractors or subcontractors who are involved in the operation of the on-line lottery games system or its associated drawings, or to a spouse, child, brother, sister or parent residing in the same household as these individuals.
(b) In addition to the individuals identified in subsection (a), the following persons are not eligible to purchase a Powerball ticket and are ineligible to be paid a prize for a Powerball ticket:
(1) An employee, officer or director of the MUSL.
(2) A person under contract with the MUSL to conduct a financial or security audit of the MUSL.
(3) An employee, partner, shareholder or owner of an independent accounting firm under contract with the MUSL to observe drawings and site operations.
(4) A relative living in the same household of a person described in paragraph (1), (2) or (3).
(c) Except as provided in subsection (b), the individuals identified in subsection (a) are not prohibited from purchasing a ticket or winning a prize from a MUSL member lottery other than the Pennsylvania Lottery.
(d) A Lottery retailer authorized to sell lottery tickets for on-line games, or an employee of a retailer may not request, demand or accept gratuities or additional compensation from any person, or agent thereof, in exchange for the purchase of Powerball lottery tickets. A retailer authorized to sell lottery tickets for on-line games shall make Powerball lottery tickets available for sale to the public during the hours that sale of Powerball tickets are authorized to be sold and that business is open to the public. A retailer may only sell Powerball lottery tickets on the premises described in the retailers contract, except as specially authorized in writing by the Director. No transaction, or any part thereof, of Powerball lottery tickets may be made at the general corporate office of a retailer unless that office is open to the public and has contracted with the Lottery as a separate Lottery retailer. A Lottery retailer authorized to sell lottery tickets for on-line games may not enter into any special agreement with a person, group of persons or agent thereof, for the purchase of over $500 of Powerball lottery tickets for any one drawing. A retailer shall immediately report to the Lottery an attempt made by a person, or group of persons or an agent thereof, to purchase more than 50% of the number combinations for Powerball for any one drawing. A retailer shall obtain the name and address of any person purchasing more than $5,000 in Powerball lottery tickets for any one drawing and report the information to the Lottery before the sale. A person may not purchase a ticket or combination of tickets and a lottery retailer may not directly or knowingly sell a ticket or combination of tickets to any person which would guarantee the purchaser a grand prize win.
§ 871.18. Governing law.
(a) In purchasing a ticket, the purchaser agrees to comply with and abide by applicable laws, this part, instructions, conditions, final decisions of the Secretary and procedures established by the Director or by the MUSL for the conduct of Powerball.
(b) Decisions made by the Secretary or the MUSL, including the declaration of prizes and the payment thereof or interpretation of this part are final and binding on players and persons making a claim in respect thereof.
§ 871.19. Probability of winning.
The probability of winning is as follows:
Tickets Containing The Following, In Probability of One Single Lettered Game Section Prize Category Winning per Play Five first set numbers and the Powerball number Grand Prize 1:80,089,128 Five first set numbers Second Prize 1:1,953,393.3659 Four first set numbers and the Powerball number Third Prize 1:364,041.4909 Four first set numbers Fourth Prize 1:8,879.0608 Three first set numbers and the Powerball number Fifth Prize 1:8,466.0812 Three first set numbers Sixth Prize 1:206.4898 Two first set numbers and the Powerball number Seventh Prize 1:604.7201 One first set number and the Powerball number Eighth Prize 1:117.9942 The Powerball number Ninth Prize 1:73.7464
Cross References This section cited in 61 Pa. Code § 871.22 (relating to changes to Powerball).
§ 871.21. Future changes to Powerball.
(a) The MUSL reserves the right to modify the Powerball game in order to address changes in player participation or population of member states. If the MUSL decides to make a change, it will be publicly announced by the Secretary at least 30 days before the change takes effect.
(b) The Secretary will publish notice of the change in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and the change will be codified in § 871.22 (relating to changes to Powerball).
Authority The provisions of this § 871.21 amended under section 303 of the State Lottery Law (72 P. S. § 3761-303).
Source The provisions of this § 871.22 amended July 12, 2002, effective October 6, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 3396; amended October 11, 2002, and applies to the ticket sales beginning on Sunday, October 6, 2002, for the Powerball drawing on Wednesday, October 9, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 5144; amended July 22, 2005, effective August 28, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 4151; amended November 28, 2008, effective January 4, 2009, 38 Pa.B. 6571; amended May 27, 2011, effective May 28, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 2787; amended December 16, 2011, these changes will affect ticket sales beginning on Sunday, January 15, 2012, for the Powerball drawing on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 41 Pa.B. 6945. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (293495) to (293496), (312713) to (312716), (340127) to (340128) and (357233) to (357236).
Cross References This section cited in 61 Pa. Code § 871.21 (relating to future changes to Powerball).
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