As a home improvement expert living in North Dakota, I know firsthand how lottery proceeds have benefited communities across our state. Playing Powerball offers a chance to win life-changing jackpots, while also helping fund projects that could include renovating your own home! This comprehensive guide will give you everything you need to know about Powerball in North Dakota.
A Brief History of Powerball in North Dakota
Let‘s start with some background on when Powerball came to North Dakota:
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Powerball began in 1992 as the first multi-state lottery game.
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North Dakota joined on March 25, 2004 as the 27th participant.
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In 2005, our state had its first jackpot winners – a couple from Horace won $29.7 million!
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Since its inception, the North Dakota lottery has raised over $600 million to support education, infrastructure, veterans programs and more across our state.
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Recent big local winners include a $4 million prize in Wahpeton in 2015 and a $200,000 winner in Mandan in 2020.
As you can see, Powerball has been changing lives in North Dakota for nearly 20 years! Now let‘s get into everything you need to know about playing.
How to Play Powerball in North Dakota
Playing Powerball in our state is simple – here‘s what you need to do:
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First, pick 5 numbers between 1 and 69 on a play slip or using Quick Pick.
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Next, choose 1 Powerball number from 1 to 26. This number is chosen separately.
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Add more plays to increase your odds – each play costs $2.
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You can also add Power Play for $1 per play to multiply smaller prizes.
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To win the jackpot, match all 5 numbers plus the Powerball.
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Prizes start at $4 for matching just the Powerball number.
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Jackpots begin at $40 million and keep growing until there‘s a winner!
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Purchase tickets online or at over 1,000 authorized local retailers.
See? Powerball is fun and easy to play right here in North Dakota!
Where to Buy Tickets in North Dakota
Powerball tickets are readily available across our state. Here are some of the most popular places to buy:
- Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Holiday, Casey‘s, and Kum & Go
- Grocery stores – Red River Marketplace, Hornbacher‘s, Hugo‘s
- Gas stations – Exxon, Cenex, Tesoro
- Pharmacies – CVS, Thrifty White
- Big retailers – Walmart, Target
You can also purchase online at Lottery.ND.Gov. Sign up for an account to access this convenient option.
Powerball Drawings in Our State
One exciting thing about playing Powerball is watching the live drawings! They are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m. Central Time.
You can tune into local North Dakota TV stations to watch. Winning numbers are also available on the state lottery website and mobile app afterwards.
Having the weekly drawings makes monitoring your tickets convenient and builds the suspense!
Odds of Winning Powerball in North Dakota
While the jackpot odds are an incredible 1 in 292 million, keep in mind smaller prizes have much better odds:
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Match 5 numbers + PB – 1 in 11.7 million
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Match 5 numbers – 1 in 913,000
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Match 4 + PB – 1 in 36,000
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Match 4 – 1 in 19,000
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Match 3 + PB – 1 in 14,000
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Match 3 numbers – 1 in 580
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Match 1 + PB – 1 in 92
Matching even one number offers better odds than most of us realize. Give Powerball a try for your shot at a win!
Big North Dakota Powerball Winners
Let‘s look at some recent major Powerball winners from our state:
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In 2005, a couple from Horace won a massive $29.7 million jackpot.
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An exciting $4 million prize was claimed by a Wahpeton resident in 2015.
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Just last year in 2020, a Mandan local won an impressive $200,000 Powerball prize.
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A player in Fargo nabbed $50,000 by matching four numbers plus the Powerball in 2021.
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Also last year, two North Dakota tickets won $150,000 prizes after matching four numbers and the Powerball.
As you can see, Powerball delivers exciting winnings regularly right here in our state!
Claiming Prizes in North Dakota
Collecting Powerball prizes under $600 is easy – simply head to any lottery retailer. For bigger winnings:
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$600 to $49,999 – Claim at a Lottery office with ID and a claim form.
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$50,000 and over – Make an appointment at the Bismarck office to claim.
Make sure to claim within 180 days and sign your ticket for security. Also remember that North Dakota does not tax lottery winnings – so you keep the full prize amount!
Use Your Winnings for Home Projects
Since I‘m a home improvement expert, let me give you some great ideas if you win big playing Powerball:
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Do a full kitchen remodel with new cabinets, flooring and appliances.
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Finish your basement with a recreational room, theater or lounge area.
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Build a dream backyard deck or patio for entertaining.
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Upgrade all bathrooms with spacious showers and spa-like features.
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Invest in a major landscaping project with trees, gardens, pathways.
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Install a pool, hot tub or outdoor kitchen for luxury.
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Add square footage with a family room, sunroom or master suite addition.
The possibilities are endless! As a pro, I can help make all your home renovation dreams a reality if you win it big.
Other North Dakota Lottery Games
In addition to Powerball, we have a great variety of in-state lottery games:
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Lucky for Life – Offers $1,000 a day for life as the top prize. Tickets are just $2 each.
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2by2 – A $1 game with a top prize of $22,000 a year for life.
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Super 4 – Play this $1 game for a shot at prizes from $4 up to $4,000.
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Wild Card 2 – Tickets are $2 with prizes ranging from $3 to $20,000.
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Hot Lotto – Provides jackpots starting at $1 million. Tickets cost $1 each.
We also have new instant scratch games constantly being introduced at price points from $1 to $20. Lots of winning options!
Lottery Revenue Supports Local Projects
This is one of my favorite parts about playing the lottery in North Dakota. By law, proceeds go to benefiting:
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K-12 education and higher ed institutions ($412 million to date)
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Conserving natural resources ($85 million)
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Community infrastructure like sewers, parks, libraries ($85 million)
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Veterans nursing homes and programs ($29 million)
Some examples of funded projects include:
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John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences campus expansion in Grand Forks.
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Ray Richards Golf Course upgrades in Grand Forks.
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Dakota College at Bottineau – Old Main renovation.
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Minot Central Campus reconstruction.
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Mandan‘s Starion Sports Complex.
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Numerous park projects, walking trails, athletic fields.
So when we play Powerball and other lottery games here, we‘re helping build better communities!
Frequently Asked North Dakota Lottery Questions
Here are answers to some common Powerball questions I hear in our state:
Q: How old do I need to be to play Powerball in North Dakota?
A: You must be at least 18 years old.
Q: Can I play Powerball in North Dakota online?
A: Yes! Simply sign up at Lottery.ND.Gov to access online play.
Q: What‘s the largest Powerball jackpot won in North Dakota?
A: $29.7 million, won by a couple from Horace back in 2005.
Q: Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to play in North Dakota?
A: No, you don‘t have to be a citizen to purchase or claim lottery prizes. Just be in the state when buying tickets.
Q: How late can I buy Powerball tickets on draw days?
A: You can buy tickets up until 8:59 p.m. Central Time on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Q: How long do I have to claim my prize?
A: Prizes expire after 180 days in North Dakota. Make sure to claim during this timeframe!
Have more questions? Don‘t hesitate to contact the North Dakota Lottery – they have knowledgeable staff ready to help!
Tips for North Dakota Lottery Players
As a frequent player myself, here are some tips I recommend:
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Always sign your ticket after purchasing and keep it very secure until claiming.
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Take advantage of the Power Play multiplier when you play. For just $1 more per play, you could multiply smaller prizes.
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Try playing your own "lucky numbers" for better engagement – but Quick Picks work just as well.
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Set a budget and stick to it. Only play what you can afford for fun.
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Don‘t forget to check your tickets after the drawings – you might have a winner!
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Have fun playing the lottery responsibly – realize it‘s entertainment, not a reliable way to make money.
Let‘s Play Powerball in North Dakota!
I hope this guide gave you all the details about Powerball in our state. Let‘s get out there and play Powerball while helping our community! And if you‘re lucky enough to win big, I‘d love to help make your home renovation dreams a reality.
For any other North Dakota lottery questions, check Lottery.ND.Gov or call 1-877-636-9366. Thanks for playing!
