In Tennessee, the only ongoing legal form of gambling is the Tennessee Lottery. One of the most popular games is set to be altered, though. Powerball recently announced some changes to the multi-state draw game.
The changes affect the sizes of future initial jackpots and the growth of the same. Despite the changes, winning the game could still pay off handsomely.
Details on the recently announced Powerball changes
Prior to the changes, initial Powerball jackpots started at $40 million. Each time there was a drawing with no winners, that jackpot increased by $10 million.
The Multi-State Lottery Association slashed those figures. Initial jackpots will now start at $20 million and increase by $2 million with each successive drawing until it is claimed.
TN’s Education Lottery is part of the association, so that applies to Powerball tickets sold there. It won’t take effect, however, until someone claims the current jackpot of an estimated $170 million.
The association made the change to preserve the game through the current economic situation. Mega Millions, which is not run by the Multi-State Lottery Association, remains unchanged. That drawing’s base jackpot remains $40 million and increases by $5 million with each drawing that does not produce a winner.
The price of Powerball tickets remains constant at $2. There are no announced plans to alter that pricepoint in any way. The drawings will continue every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. EST.
The TN Lottery hasn’t announced any changes to any games which are unique to the Volunteer State. There has been a recent change to the protocol for claiming prizes, however.
The postal service if your best friend if you win big right now
While lottery winners can continue to claim prizes of $600 or less at any retailer in TN, the circumstances for prizes of greater value than that have changed. The lottery has closed its centers at which you could claim prizes of at least $601 in person prior to the closure.
The TN Lottery made the decision to help in the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Because of that, all lottery winners looking to claim such prizes have to submit their tickets via mail unless they are worth at least $50,000.
Players who win jackpots of at least $50,00 can call the TN Lottery and schedule an appointment to claim their prizes. The number to call is 615-324-6688.
One lucky person in the Volunteer State recently gave her/himself cause to prepare such a mailing. As a matter of fact, it was a good week for two people in the Knoxville area.
Two winning tickets sold in the Knoxville area last week
One person hit a Tennessee Cash jackpot worth more than $700,000 last week. Another retailer in Knoxville also sold a Powerball ticket worth $50,000.
The Knoxville area wasn’t the only lucky zone, however. A Tiger Market in Ooltewah also sold a Powerball ticket worth $50,000.
The initial jackpot for Powerball may have been cut in half, and the roll increases slashed to 1/5 their previous values. However, even just $20 million is an excellent return on a $2 investment. This also emphasizes getting in on the estimated $170 million jackpot now, as it may be a while before it reaches that height again.
