Powerball players outraged over lottery’s historic expansion abroad: ‘Rigged anyway’ - New York Post

What the report says

The New York Post reported that some U.S. Powerball players reacted angrily after the lottery game expanded to the United Kingdom, with several people posting online that they would stop buying tickets or switch to state lotteries. The report said Wednesday’s drawing was the first in which UK players could participate, at a price of £4, or about $5.35, per line, while the U.S. jackpot had grown to more than $600 million after that draw.

According to the Post, Powerball officials have promoted the international expansion as a way to create faster-growing jackpots by adding more players. Critics cited in the report accused the system of being unfair or corrupt, though the article did not report evidence supporting those claims. Some players argued that a larger pool of participants made them less interested in the game, while others said they would instead play lotteries in states such as Texas.

The Post noted that Powerball officials say the change does not alter the odds for American players: the chance of winning the jackpot remains about 1 in 292 million, and a U.S. ticket still costs $2. Prize structures differ between the two markets. U.S. jackpots are advertised before taxes and winners may choose a lump sum or 30-year annuity, while UK jackpots are listed in pounds after tax and are paid over 30 years.

The report said UK players faced a Saturday jackpot advertised at £322 million, about $430.5 million, and that smaller prizes are structured differently from U.S. payouts. The expansion matters because Powerball’s move abroad could increase jackpot growth while raising public questions about fairness and player confidence.