Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

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The Pennsylvania Code website reflects the Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 54 Pa.B. 5598 (August 31, 2024).

61 Pa. Code § 871.3. Definitions.

§ 871.3. Definitions.

 The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   Apparent winning ticket—A ticket which has not been validated by the Lottery.

   Basic play—Each set of six numbers consisting of five numbers from 1 through 49 and the Powerball number on a ticket purchased without the selection of any promotion, representing a single entry for a Powerball drawing and designated by a letter from A to E on a Powerball ticket.

   Cash election—A method of payment that the player selects, within 60 days of the date the Lottery determines the player is entitled to the Powerball grand prize, to receive a parimutuel share of the prize money allocated to the grand prize category as a one-time, lump-sum cash payment rather than as an annuity.

   Drawing—The process of selecting winning numbers that determines the winners for each prize category of the game.

   First set numbers—The first group of numbers, from 1 through 49, appearing in the top grid of a Powerball game panel.

   Grand prize winnings pool—An amount constituting 29.1942% of gross sales from all participating states for a particular Powerball game drawing for the purpose of paying winning grand prizes in that drawing. The grand prize winnings pool includes prize money allocated to the grand prize category from prior Powerball game drawings in which there were no winning grand prize tickets. A portion of this pool is used to fund prize reserve accounts until those accounts achieve maximum balances.

   Gross sales—The total amount of sales from all participating states for a particular Powerball game drawing for the purpose of determining the grand prize winnings pool and the set prize winnings pool in that drawing.

   MUSL—The Multi-State Lottery Association.

   MUSL Board—The governing body of the MUSL which is comprised of the chief executive officer of each party lottery.

   MUSL Powerball Product Group—The group of lotteries that have joined together to offer the Powerball lottery game under the terms of the MUSL agreement and MUSL Powerball Product Group rules.

   On-line retailer—A person who is properly licensed and authorized by the Lottery to sell Powerball tickets.

   Panel or game panel—One of five areas of the Powerball bet slip that contains two number grids. The upper grids (first set numbers) contain 49 squares, each numbered 1 through 49 and the lower grids (second set numbers) contain 42 squares, each numbered 1 through 42. Each panel is lettered either A, B, C, D or E, and when used to purchase a ticket, corresponds to the numbers selected and printed on the ticket adjacent to that letter.

   Party lottery—A State lottery or lottery of a political subdivision or entity which has joined the MUSL and, in the context of the Powerball Group Rules, which has joined in selling the Powerball game.

   Powerball bet slip—A card having five game panels labeled A through E, used by a player to select numbers to play the game.

   Powerball number or second set number—The number selected from the second group of numbers, from 1 through 42, appearing in the lower grid of a Powerball game panel.

   Promotion—A method used by the Lottery to aid in the sale of its products; for example, an option a player may exercise by purchase to increase the prize paid on a winning ticket or to increase the chance of winning a prize.

   Quick pick—The random selection by the Lottery’s computer system of five numbers from 1 through 49 and a Powerball number from 1 through 42 that appear on a ticket in the Powerball game.

   Second set numbers—The second group of numbers, from 1 through 42, appearing in the lower grid of a Powerball game panel.

   Set prize tiers—All prizes except the grand prize that are advertised to be paid by a single lump-sum payment and, except in instances outlined in this chapter, will be equal to the prize amount established by the MUSL Board for the prize level.

   Set prize winnings pool—An amount constituting 20.8058% of gross sales for the current drawing and any monies carried forward from previous draws.

   Terminal—A device which is authorized by the Lottery to function in an on-line, interactive mode with the Lottery’s computer system, for the purpose of issuing lottery tickets and entering, receiving and processing lottery transactions, including making purchases, validating tickets and transmitting reports.

   Ticket—A Powerball ticket, produced by an on-line terminal from a licensed on-line retailer in an authorized manner, containing a letter prefix followed by five selected numbers from 1 through 49 and a single selected Powerball number from 1 through 42 for each basic play, ticket validation number data, drawing date, amount bet and any applicable promotion exercised by the player. Each set of five numbers and the Powerball number constitutes a basic play of which there may be one or more, up to five on a ticket.

   Winning numbers—Six numbers, the first five numbers from 1 through 49, and the Powerball number from 1 through 42, selected at a Powerball drawing and subsequently validated by the MUSL, which shall be used to determine the winning Powerball plays.

   Winnings pool—Constitutes 50% of each prize drawing period gross sales. A portion of the pool is contributed to the grand prize winnings pool. The remainder constitutes the set prize winnings pool. Moneys carried forward from previous draws are combined with the pool as directed in the MUSL rules.

Cross References

   This section cited in 61 Pa. Code §  871.22 (relating to changes to Powerball).



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