Powerball jackpot winners can anonymously collect in certain states. See where.
Amaris EncinasAnonymity could prove to be a saving grace, especially, with a billion-dollar Powerball jackpot at stake.
As the amount of the cash prize continues to tick up ahead of Saturday's drawing, lottery players – whether seasoned lottery player or novice – might be wondering whether they will be able to keep the news of a potential win on the DL.
The good news, at least for some, is that some states allow winners to claim prizes anonymously, allowing the individual to maintain some semblance of privacy while they figure out what they're going to do and who they're going to tell, or not tell.
And the bad news... for everyone else is that if the money is claimed in any of the 18 states where winners can opt for anonymity then we may never know who won the jackpot or where they were from.
Here are the 18 states in which winners remain anonymous after a huge win, including the terms and conditions for each state.
Powerball: See which states allow lottery winner anonymity
Over a dozen states let winners anonymously collect their prizes anonymously, and in some places such as Arizona or Virginia, the condition depends entirely on the amount of money that is won.
Michigan, Ohio, the territory of Puerto Rico and other states have specific stipulations regarding anonymity.
Only 10 states, including Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Carolina and Wyoming grant true anonymity.
- Arizona: prize must be over $100,000
- Arkansas: prize must be over $500,000 and a winner is only anonymous for three years
- Delaware: any prize
- Georgia: prize must be over $250,000
- Illinois: prize must be over $250,000
- Kansas: any prize
- Maryland: any prize
- Minnesota: prize must be over $10,000
- Mississippi: any prize
- Missouri: any prize
- Montana: any prize
- New Jersey: any prize
- North Dakota: any prize
- Oregon: any prize
- South Carolina: any prize
- Texas: prize must be over $1 million
- Virginia: prize must be greater than $10 million
- West Virginia: prize must be over $1 million
- Wyoming: any prize
To find the full list of previous Powerball winners, click the link to the lottery's website.
When is the next Powerball drawing?
The next Powerball drawing will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6, just after 11 p.m. ET.
How to play the Powerball
First things first: You need to buy a $2 ticket in order to play the Powerball.
You can do this at a variety of locations, including your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store. In some states, Powerball tickets can be purchased online.
After that, it's up to you to pick a total of six numbers: five numbers from a set of 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from a set of 1 to 26. Once you have chosen your numbers, hand your slip to the cashier, and you will receive a printed ticket with the numbers you selected.
You also have the option to choose “Power Play” for $1, which increases the winning for all non-jackpot prizes. The “Power Play” multiplier can multiply winnings by: 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.
If you are feeling unlucky or want the computer to do the work for you, the “Quick Pick” option is available, where computer-generated numbers will be printed on a Powerball ticket. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls in any order and the red Powerball.
Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If no one wins the jackpot, the cash prize will continue to increase.
Where to buy lottery tickets
Gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores sell lottery tickets. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online throughJackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C. and West Virginia.
The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket, and collect your winnings — all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
Contributing: James Powel and Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY
Contributing: James Powel, USA TODAY