'Must Be Won' Explained

Media Release
13 October 2008

'Must Be Won' Explained

For only the fourth time in NZ Lotteries' history, a 'Must Be Won' draw has been called for Powerball this weekend.

"This Must Be Won draw has been triggered due to the Powerball jackpot reaching the threshold of $30 million, as set out in NZ Lotteries' game policy," says Chief Executive Todd McLeay.

"As usual, if there is a Powerball first division winner, they win the $30 million and if there are more than one first division winners they will share the $30 million.

"To be a Powerball first division winner you need to have the six correct Lotto numbers and the correct Powerball number.

"If there is no division one winner, Powerball second division winners share the $30 million. To be a second division winner you need to have five correct Lotto numbers and the bonus number, plus the correct Powerball number. Last Saturday, there were two Powerball division two winners.

"If there are no division one or two winners, Powerball third division winners will share the $30 million. To be a third division winner you need to have five correct Lotto numbers and the correct Powerball number. Last Saturday, there were 109 third division winners," Mr McLeay said.

The odds of winning:

• Powerball First Division are 1 in 38,383,800.
• Powerball Second Division are 1 in 6,397,300
• Powerball Third Division are 1 in 193,858

NZ Lotteries' biggest sales week in its 21 year history was for a previous Must Be Won draw in September 2003 - when the then jackpot prize of $19.3 million was won by 14 Powerball second division winners, netting them $1,377,773 each.

"Our retailers are gearing up for a very busy week. More than 2.5 million tickets were sold for Lotto, Powerball and Strike last week, which is more than double our normal sales. Registrations for our online sales channel, mylotto.co.nz, have also boomed - with now more than 55,000 players registered.

"One thing is for sure, after this week's Saturday night draw, at least one person in New Zealand will be considerably better off by adding Powerball to their Lotto ticket," Mr McLeay said.

ENDS

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