Lotto NZ to revamp Powerball with more balls, bigger jackpots and new prize tier

The changes will expand the game’s structure while keeping ticket prices unchanged.

New Zealand.- Lotto New Zealand has announced a major overhaul of its flagship Powerball game, introducing more balls, higher jackpots and an additional prize division. It’s the first structural update in nearly two decades.

At the core of the proposal is an increase in the number of Powerballs in the draw machine, rising from 10 to 14. The starting jackpot will grow from NZ$4m (US$2,33m) to NZ$5m (US$2,91m) and the maximum prize cap will increase from NZ$50m (US$29,1m) to NZ$60m (US$35m).

While this means less probability of winning big prizes, the lottery will also introduce a new prize tier, Powerball Division 8, which is expected to boost the volume of lower-tier prizes. The move means the cost of playing Powerball will remain the same. With more possible number combinations, jackpots are expected to roll over more frequently, leading to larger prize pools over time,

Lotto NZ said the update is designed to refresh the game while maintaining its core appeal. The revamped Powerball is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026, with further details on the final prize structure and rollout date to be confirmed.

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The changes will expand the game’s structure while keeping ticket prices unchanged. New Zealand.- Lotto New Zealand has announced a major overhaul of its flagship Powerball game, introducing more balls, higher jackpots and an additional prize division. It’s the first structural update in nearly two decades. At the core of the proposal is an increase…