Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States, with jackpots that can reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Players in Minnesota have won some impressive Powerball jackpots over the years. So how many Minnesotans have won big in Powerball?
Powerball Overview
Powerball is a multi-state lottery game that is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association. It launched in 1992 originally as Lotto America, before adopting the Powerball name in 1996. Powerball jackpots start at $40 million and roll over if there is no jackpot winner. To win the jackpot, players must match all 5 white balls (numbered 1-69) as well as the red Powerball (numbered 1-26). The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are incredibly slim, at just 1 in 292.2 million.
Powerball drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday evening. Players can purchase Powerball tickets in 45 participating states, including Minnesota. Tickets cost $2 per play. Players can multiply non-jackpot prizes by selecting the Power Play option for an additional $1 per ticket. Lottery profits in Minnesota go towards environmental projects, public infrastructure, and state general funds.
Major Minnesota Powerball Winners
There have been a handful of major Powerball jackpot winners from Minnesota over the years. Here is a summary of the biggest Minnesota Powerball winners to date:
- Paul White – $149.4 million (August 2013) – This stands as the largest Minnesota Powerball win. White purchased his ticket at a gas station in Ham Lake.
- Tom and Kathleen Morris – $50 million (March 2009) – The couple bought the ticket at a convenience store in their hometown of Motley.
- James Lee – $34.3 million (January 2008) – Lee bought his ticket from a Holiday gas station in Edina.
- Anonymous winner – $31.5 million (November 2012) – The ticket was purchased at a Treasure Island Resort and Casino near Red Wing.
- H&L Partnership – $21.1 million (February 2010) – The ticket came from a Holiday station in Owatonna.
Together, these major jackpot wins total over $286 million from Powerball for Minnesota residents! Each of these winners took the cash option, collecting millions in lump sum payments after state and federal taxes.
Other Notable Powerball Wins in Minnesota
In addition to the handful of jackpot winners, there have been many other sizeable Powerball wins in Minnesota:
- In April 2005, seven coworkers from an auto body shop in Minneapolis split a $15.5 million prize.
- In June 2012, a group of 17 coworkers at a hospital in Hibbing split a $10.3 million prize.
- In August 2006, a retired steelworker from Bagley claimed a $6.56 million prize.
- In December 2015, a Bloomington couple won $4.2 million on a ticket bought in Rosemount.
- In May 2008, two friends from Coon Rapids split a $2.8 million prize.
There have been over a dozen Powerball winners in Minnesota who have claimed prizes between $1 million and $5 million as well.
Total Powerball Winners in Minnesota
In total, over 16,500 Minnesotans have won Powerball prizes of $600 or greater since Powerball began in the state in 1992. Here is a breakdown of all Powerball wins in Minnesota by prize tier:
| Prize Tier | Number of Winners |
|---|---|
| Jackpot | 5 |
| $1 million+ (non-jackpot) | 44 |
| $100,000 – $1 million | 803 |
| $50,000 – $100,000 | 1,587 |
| $25,000 – $50,000 | 7,488 |
| $10,000 – $25,000 | 6,601 |
| Total Winners $600+ | 16,528 |
These data are based on Powerball winners who have come forward to claim prizes over $600. It’s likely that there have been thousands of additional smaller winners from Minnesota over the years as well.
Jackpot Winners
There have been 5 jackpot winners from Minnesota, who have won a combined $286.2 million.
$1 Million+ Winners
44 players from Minnesota have won Powerball prizes of $1 million or more without hitting the jackpot. These have ranged from $1 million up to $15.5 million.
$100,000 – $1 Million Winners
A sizeable 803 players have won between $100,000 and $1 million playing Powerball in Minnesota. Winning tickets have been sold across the state, from the Twin Cities metro to small towns.
$50,000 – $100,000 Winners
There have been 1,587 winners in Minnesota who have claimed Powerball prizes between $50,000 and $100,000. These $50K+ wins are still life-changing amounts of money for the lucky recipients.
$25,000 – $50,000 Winners
The $25K to $50K prize range has produced the most Minnesota winners, with a whopping 7,488 over the history of Powerball in the state. These wins can go a long way as a down payment on a house or paying off debt.
$10,000 – $25,000 Winners
There have been 6,601 Powerball winners in Minnesota who have won between $10,000 and $25,000. This is a nice chunk of change that could be used for a vacation, remodeling a home, or other medium-sized purchases.
Minnesota Powerball Sales
Powerball ticket sales in Minnesota have risen steadily over the years as jackpots have grown larger. Here are total Minnesota Powerball sales figures since the game began:
| Year | Minnesota Powerball Sales |
|---|---|
| 1992 | $52 million |
| 2000 | $116 million |
| 2010 | $208 million |
| 2019 | $271 million |
| Record (2016) | $281 million |
As you can see, Minnesota Powerball sales have increased over 5x since the game launched in 1992. The state’s residents now spend over a quarter of a billion dollars playing Powerball annually during years without unusually large jackpots.
Biggest Years
Powerball sales in Minnesota spike during years when huge jackpots roll, as a surge of lottery fever sweeps the state. Here are the years with the highest Minnesota Powerball sales:
- 2016 – $281 million
- 2012 – $244 million
- 2018 – $240 million
- 2013 – $226 million
- 2009 – $214 million
Massive jackpots of over $500 million led to record sales in 2016 and other busy Powerball years for Minnesota. Even in a typical year, Minnesota residents spend well over $200 million trying to hit it big with Powerball.
Top Minnesota Powerball Retailers
Certain lucky lottery retailers in Minnesota have sold an unusually high number of large winning Powerball tickets over the years. Here are some of the retailers with the most Powerball success stories in the state:
- Rockwood BP, Plymouth – Sold a $50K winner and $1 million winner
- Neisen’s Riverside, Motley – Sold a $50 million jackpot winner
- Holiday Station, Owatonna – Sold a $21 million jackpot winner
- Bill’s Superette, Chisago City – Sold two $1 million winners
- Hamburg Village BP – Sold two $50K+ winners
Some small town gas stations and convenience stores have proven to be big lucky charms when it comes to Powerball. There are also multiple retailers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro that have sold large prize winning tickets.
Odds of Winning Powerball in Minnesota
The overall odds of winning a Powerball prize are about 1 in 25. However, the chances of hitting the jackpot in Minnesota are a lot longer.
Here are the various Powerball prize tiers and odds:
| Prize | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|
| Jackpot | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| $1 million | 1 in 11,688,053.52 |
| $50,000 | 1 in 913,129.18 |
| $100 | 1 in 91.98 |
As you can see, the jackpot odds are extremely high, at almost 293 million to 1. You are about 50 times more likely to be struck by lightning in your lifetime than to hit the Powerball jackpot! But the odds improve substantially for smaller prizes, making winning something still feel possible for players.
How to Play Powerball in Minnesota
Playing Powerball in Minnesota is easy. Just follow these steps:
- Pick 5 different numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls. This can be done via easy pick or manual selection.
- Pick 1 number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.
- Purchase a Powerball ticket at an authorized Minnesota retailer for $2 per play.
- Check the numbers after each drawing. Match the 5 white balls and red Powerball in exact order to win the jackpot.
- Win smaller fixed prizes by matching some of the numbers. The Power Play add-on can multiply non-jackpot winnings.
Powerball drawings are held each Wednesday and Saturday night at 9:59pm Central Time. Tickets must be purchased by 9:00pm CT on draw days. There are many prize and play options to choose from to spice up the Powerball experience.
Getting the Most Powerball Tickets for Your Money in Minnesota
To get the most Powerball plays for your money, here are some tips:
- Buy tickets when the jackpot is lower – lines and ticket buying frenzies happen when the jackpot is high.
- Join an office pool or lottery club. This lets you buy more tickets at a lower cost.
- Use the Power Play to increase smaller prizes for just $1 more per play.
- Use systematic forms like quick picks and number generators to play more tickets faster.
- Take advantage of Powerball promotions and coupons from the lottery.
- Buy multiplier tickets which include extra games for a bigger bang for your buck.
By using these methods, Minnesota residents can stretch their Powerball dollars and play more tickets when jackpots are low or moderate.
Buying Powerball Tickets Online in Minnesota
The Minnesota Lottery does not currently allow Powerball tickets to be purchased online. All Powerball ticket purchases must be made in-person at authorized retailers across the state. There are over 2,500 lottery retailers located in grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and other public places.
Advocates for online lottery ticket sales argue that it would modernize the lottery, provide convenience to players, and generate more revenue for the state. However, concerns about underage access and how to verify player identity and location have stalled proposals for internet-based lottery games.
For now, Minnesota residents must continue to buy their Powerball tickets at physical stores. Purchasing online through third party courier services violates the rules and is illegal.
Unclaimed Powerball Prizes in Minnesota
Surprisingly, not all Minnesota Powerball winners come forward to claim their prizes. Over the years, millions of dollars in Powerball prizes have gone unclaimed after tickets expired.
Some major examples of unclaimed Powerball prizes include:
- $1 million prize in April 2005 that expired in October 2006.
- $50,000 prize from February 2012 that was never claimed.
- $10,000 prize from June 2012 that expired in December 2012.
There are a few possible reasons why prizes go unclaimed:
- Tickets get lost, damaged, or even thrown away by mistake.
- Some winners don’t realize they have won or forget to check their old tickets.
- A small number of winners intentionally avoid claiming for tax or publicity reasons.
Experts recommend signing the back of your ticket for security, checking numbers regularly, and storing tickets safely to avoid missing out on any potential prizes.
The Future of Powerball in Minnesota
Powerball will likely continue to be popular among Minnesota lottery players for years to come. With multi-state jackpots that can climb into hundreds of millions of dollars, Powerball offers a life-changing payout. Even smaller prizes can be very lucrative compared to other games.
However, the Minnesota Lottery faces some challenges in keeping Powerball exciting, including:
- Competition from giant Mega Millions jackpots dividing player interest.
- New instant scratch games that attract player dollars.
- Appetite for online games and ticket purchasing options.
Powerball may need fresh innovations to boost slumping sales during smaller jackpots. But the game still offers unmatched potential for huge windfalls that will continue to attract Minnesota dreamers when the jackpots roll high.
Conclusion
In summary, Powerball has produced some impressive winners over its 25+ year history in Minnesota. Five jackpot winners have claimed over $286 million in top prizes. Additionally, thousands of lesser prizes between $600 and $1 million have been won by lucky Minnesota residents.
Powerball ticket sales now top $200 million annually in the state. Certain retailers have proven luckier than others when it comes to selling big winners. And while the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are incredibly slim, smaller prizes are more attainable.
Minnesotans have many options for trying to win Powerball, from easy picks to number generators to lottery pools. And there is potential for even bigger jackpots in the future. While online sales remain prohibited, playing the lottery in-person at thousands of retailers across Minnesota will continue to feed dreams of coming into a massive fortune.
Powerball has delivered life-changing windfalls to a handful of Minnesotans over the past three decades. And more big jackpot winners are likely waiting in the wings for the state in the years ahead!
