Powerball is now at a huge $50 million, and a "must be won on Saturday", says Lotto NZ.

This means the jackpot cannot roll over again, and the entire $50 million must go to one or more lucky players in Saturday night’s draw.

Under Lotto NZ game rules, if the jackpot reaches $50 million or runs past 52 consecutive weeks, it can’t roll over any further and the organisaton needs to hold a Must Be Won draw. 

“This is only the third time in Lotto NZ history that we’ve reached a Must Be Won draw of $50 million, and if won by a single ticket on Saturday night, it will be the largest prize ever won in Lotto NZ’s history,” says Lotto NZ CEO Jason Delamore.

The first Powerball $50 million jackpot was struck in February 2020, when two winners won $25.1m each.

Another $50 million Must Be Won draw then took place only six months later in August 2020.  

On that occasion the prize rolled down to Powerball Second Division and was shared by 10 winners, who each received $5.02m.

“We know one or more of our lucky Powerball players is guaranteed a win, so we’re ready for a big draw night,” says Jason.

“We also know winning big has a ripple effect, not only for the family, friends and charitable causes of our winners, but also for the thousands of community groups across Aotearoa who receive lottery funding each year.”

In a Must Be Won draw, if there are no First Division winners the entire jackpot rolls down to the next Powerball division where there are winners.

If there is more than one winner in that prize division, then the prize is split equally between them.

Saturday night’s draw will be the 11th Must Be Won jackpot in Lotto NZ history.

A history of Lotto NZ Must Be Won winners.