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Powerball is a lottery operated by Tatts Group under the master brand, the Lott and its licensed subsidiaries including New South Wales Lotteries in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Tattersalls in Victoria and Tasmania, Golden Casket in Queensland, and South Australian Lotteries in South Australia. The Government owned Lotterywest operates the lottery in Western Australia.
The new Australian Powerball since March 2013 draws six regular numbers from one pool of 40, with the Powerball drawn from a separate pool of 20 numbers. The highest Australian Powerball jackpot was A$80 million in 2009. Most jackpot wins are not shared by multiple tickets. There are major differences between the Australian and American versions; in the US, a ticket automatically wins by matching the Powerball (the American game has 39 Powerballs) while in Australia a minimum of three numbers are needed being two regular numbers plus the Powerball. The American jackpot is annuitized (with a cash option) while Australians winners always collect in lump sum. American lottery prizes are taxable, whilst there are no taxes collected on Australian Powerball winners. Still another difference is that all Australian Powerball prizes are parimutuel, versus fixed prizes on American non-jackpot prizes.
The host of Australian Powerball drawings is Troy Ellis, with the draw broadcast on television when the Division 1 pool is at least $15 million.
The game was revamped on 1 March 2013; it will draw six regular numbers plus a Powerball. This will allow the introduction of an 8th Division (two main numbers plus the Powerball). Other changes include an increase of 10c per play, and the introduction of an option (QuickHit40) which will "wheel" the 40 Powerballs although not guaranteeing a prize.
Records
On 1 March 2007, the Division 1 pool was $33 million; it was the largest Australian lottery prize won.
On 5 June 2008, the Division 1 pool was $58,737,207.41; then the largest prize pool in Australian history (since eclipsed by Oz Lotto in 2012, which had a Division 1 pool of $100 million.)
On 30 July 2009, the Division 1 pool was $80 million, the largest Australian Powerball pool. There were multiple Division 1 winners in the drawing.
On 21 August 2014, the Division 1 pool was $70 million. Two winners walked away with 35 million each.
On 28 May 2015, the Division 1 pool was $50 million, won by a single ticket. The winner was a woman from Canberra.
On July 23, 2015, the Division 1 pool was $50 million, won by a single ticket. The winner was a woman from Western Australia.
On January 7, 2016, the Division 1 pool was $70 million, won by a single ticket. The winner was from Queensland.