Powerball just went international. What changes for Texas players?

Powerball tickets became available for purchase in the United Kingdom on Tuesday, which means U.S. and Texas players are now competing against those in the UK for millions in prize money.

The expansion marks the first time that a non-U.S. lottery is contributing to the Powerball jackpot. The move was first announced in April through an agreement with the Multi-State Lottery Association and Allwyn UK, according to a July 6 news release.

UK players will play for the same Powerball jackpot as those in the U.S. 

As a result, Powerball expects its jackpots will grow faster and create bigger prize opportunities, according to the release. 

“This next step brings us closer to a thrilling milestone for Powerball,” said Rebecca Paul, President & CEO of the Tennessee Lottery and former President of the World Lottery Association. “More players means faster-growing jackpots, more excitement and even greater impact for the communities we serve.”

The first drawing occurred Wednesday.

Here’s what to know about the Powerball’s international expansion.

YEAR’S FIRST WINNER: First Texas Powerball jackpot winner of 2026 to split $20M grand prize with Florida winner

Adding the UK National Lottery means that now, 49 lotteries will pool their funds for the Powerball jackpot. But the benefits of each ticket sale will remain local, with over half of each ticket sold remaining in the jurisdiction it was purchased in, the announcement said.

Tickets bought in the UK will not contribute to lower-tier U.S. prizes. Instead, UK players have a separate structure for low-tier prizes. The UK jackpot is advertised in pounds post-tax while the U.S. jackpot is advertised in U.S. dollars pre-tax, according to the Powerball website. 

UK winners do not receive a one-time cash option, like in the U.S. Instead, the UK National Lottery will pay the jackpot over 30 years.

“Just as importantly, this expansion does not change where the money goes,” Paul wrote. “Every Powerball ticket sold in the U.S. will continue to support programs and services right here at home.”

Powerball first began drawing in 1992 and has since expanded to 48 U.S. lotteries; most recently, the Mississippi Lottery in 2020. The U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are also included, according to the Powerball website.

Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m., according to the Powerball website. Players choose five white ball numbers from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26.

The UK National Lottery operates under the same security standards and compliance reviews as U.S. lotteries “to ensure the integrity and security of the game,” according to the release.

Powerball tickets are $2 each. The ticket price will not change, the release said.

The Powerball jackpot is at an estimated $600 million after no players won the grand prize in the drawing on Wednesday. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $266.4 million and will increase each night it remains unclaimed.

Powerball jackpot chances will not change, the release said. 

Number ranges and selections from each drawing will remain the same, so Powerball said players will have the same odds of winning the jackpot as well as lower-tier prizes.

Overall odds of winning a prize sit at 1 in 24.9, the release said. Jackpot odds are 1 in 292.2 million.

Steve Helm, media and public affairs assistant director for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, said adding U.K. players won’t change how the game works for players in Texas. 

“Revenue from Powerball ticket sales in Texas continues to benefit Texas, and the expansion does not divert proceeds away from Texas beneficiaries,” Helm said. “The drawing process and security requirements also remain unchanged, and TDLR continues to oversee Powerball ticket sales conducted in Texas.