The United Kingdom has officially joined the world's biggest lottery game, with Powerball launching nationwide today, offering players the chance to win jackpots worth hundreds of millions. The new game from the National Lottery went live on Tuesday, July 21, allowing UK players to buy tickets for the first time and enter draws alongside players in the United States.
Record Jackpot Up for Grabs
The launch comes as the current jackpot has climbed to around £300 million following a rollover in America overnight. That means UK players will be able to compete for the prize in the opening draw on Thursday, July 23. Run by operator Allwyn, Powerball tickets cost £4 per line. Players will enter the same draw as their US counterparts, with jackpots that can continue to roll over until they reach sums in the billions.
How UK Prizes Work
While US winners can choose between a lump sum or annual payments, UK winners will receive their prize as an annuity paid out over 30 years. It marks the first time Powerball has been available outside the United States and the biggest-ever jackpot game to be introduced in Britain. In the UK version of the game, jackpots will start at £12 million and are uncapped, meaning they can continue to grow indefinitely if no winner is drawn. A new 'match two main numbers' prize tier will be available only to UK players, offering a fixed £8 payout, reports PA. Matching five main numbers will still win a fixed £1 million, while other prize tiers will vary depending on the draw and number of winners.
Allwyn CEO Encourages Players
Allwyn chief executive Andria Vidler said: “We’re excited to give National Lottery players the chance to dream bigger while supporting thousands of good cause projects across the UK every week. Powerball jackpots can soar into the billions, offering breathtaking sums with the potential to transform lives and communities. We’re encouraging players to get involved when tickets go on sale and we’ll be crossing our fingers for our first UK winner.”
Recent National Lottery Changes
The launch comes shortly after a major shake-up of the National Lottery’s flagship Lotto game, which saw changes introduced in June to give players two chances to win for every £2 ticket. The overhaul is expected to increase the number of Lotto millionaires from around 140 a year to about 345. It also follows the completion of a £450 million technology upgrade, which saw 18 million player records and more than three billion transactions transferred to new systems, alongside improvements to retail infrastructure.
Financial Impact and Good Causes
According to the latest figures from Allwyn, total National Lottery sales reached £8.1 billion in 2025, up 3.5% year-on-year. More than £1.7 billion was raised for good causes, including projects in health, education, arts, sport and heritage, while £967 million was generated in tax revenue. With a £300 million prize already up for grabs in its first UK draw, Powerball is expected to generate significant interest, offering players one of the biggest potential payouts ever seen in Britain.
