Powerball has rolled over to Saturday night, where the jackpot will be a record-breaking $55 million – and must be won.
The $55 million Powerball jackpot is the largest prize ever offered by Lotto NZ and was made available due to predicted strong ticket sales.
Once the Powerball division one prize pool reaches $50 million, the game cannot jackpot over to another draw, so it becomes a must be won draw.
In a must be won draw, if no-one wins Powerball first division, the prize pool rolls down to the next highest division with winners.
"Lotto head office and our retailers are buzzing with excitement – this is the largest prize ever on offer with Powerball and it has to be won on Saturday," said Will Hine, Lotto's head of corporate communications.
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He said the three $50 million must be won draws held previously were all won by multiple winners, so there was a chance that could happen again.
"Regardless of how many people win on Saturday, we know the ripple effect of this win is likely to be felt far and wide in the winners’ communities,” he said.
Hine expected stores to be busy from mid-afternoon on Saturday.
"The last hour before sales close at 7.30pm will also be busy online. Our best advice for anyone wanting to buy a ticket is to get in early and avoid those busy times," he said.
Meanwhile, a lucky Strike player from Auckland will be celebrating after winning $200,000 with Strike Four in Wednesday's live Lotto draw. The winning ticket was sold on MyLotto.
Six players also won $166,667 each with Lotto first division last night.
Three of the winning tickets were sold to MyLotto players from Waikato, Palmerston North and Marlborough. The other thee were sold at Lakeview Superette in Auckland, Hill Superette in Pukekohe and Pak N Save Napier City.
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