Iowa Lottery Free-Play Offer For Multi-Draw Powerball® And Mega Millions® Tickets
Impacted By Changes In The Games
The Iowa Lottery is offering free plays for multi-draw tickets in Mega Millions and Powerball impacted by updates to the game announced in early April.
In both games, the starting jackpot amount will be eliminated along with any minimum amount that the jackpot will grow between drawings. Instead, both amounts will be determined on a drawing-by-drawing basis and announced ahead of the next upcoming drawing.
The adjustments are necessary to ensure that ticket sales in both games can support their jackpots and other prizes. The deepening COVID-19 public health emergency has drastically impacted life for us all and altered normal consumer behavior, including ticket purchases in Powerball and Mega Millions. Interest rates also have declined amidst the health crisis, and that in turn drives down the annuity amount of the games' jackpots.
The timing of the changes in each game is slightly different, based upon its drawing schedule. Mega Millions drawings are at 10 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, while Powerball drawings are at 9:59 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
In Mega Millions: Following the April 7 drawing, the game's starting jackpot and the rate at which the jackpot increases between drawings will be based upon sales and interest rates, with no fixed minimums.
In Powerball: Following the April 8 drawing, the game's starting jackpot and the rate at which the jackpot increases between drawings will be based upon sales and interest rates, with no fixed minimums.
We know that some Iowa Lottery players may have utilized the "multi-draw" function to purchase plays in future Powerball drawings. Those plays, of course, will still be valid, but are now subject to the jackpot changes.
As a goodwill gesture to those players, the Iowa Lottery is making available free-play coupons for use in future drawings of the game involved. To be eligible for free-play coupons:
- In Mega Millions, an Iowa Lottery player must have purchased a multi-draw ticket no later than 4 p.m. Friday (April 3) for a Mega Millions drawing held on April 7 or later.
- In Powerball, an Iowa Lottery player must have purchased a multi-draw ticket no later than 4 p.m. Thursday (April 2) for a Powerball drawing held on April 8 or later.
Players with multi-draw tickets in Powerball and Mega Millions should keep them for any of the upcoming drawings for which they were purchased.
Below is a link to the form you'll need to complete and send to us to request free-play coupons.
Free Play Request Form
All requests must be postmarked no later than June 30, 2020.
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