Powerball Lotto History

NEXT JACKPOT

US$ 171 million

Next Draw: Sat 23/11/2024

The History of PowerBall

Lotteries have been around since the beginning of history. There are recorded signs of it as far back as 200 BC in the form of Keno slips in China, as well as at dinner parties held at the time of the Roman Empire.

The History of Lottery in America

Lotteries held in England at the beginning of the 17th century in the name of the Virginia Company raised money to build the first settlements in America. Later on, lotteries held on American soil would fund many social projects in the English settlements such as building bridges and roads, churches and schools etc.

Up until the end of the 19th century, lotteries were a common occurrence in the newly founded American States, but they were all outlawed in the 1890’s by the government due to corruption and scandal with the Numbers Game. At that time, lotteries were also illegal in most of Europe and remained that way until after the Second World War. Due to the destruction following the war, many countries across Europe as well the United States were in need of revenue, and so state-run lotteries were put into place to raise funds in addition to taxes.

The First Multi State Lottery

In 1987 the Powerball lottery came into being in its first form known as Lotto*America. It was the first game held by the MUSL- the Multi State Lottery Association. The MUSL consisted of six American States in addition to the District of Columbia that decided to form a group that would ensure much higher jackpots than each of the participants could rise on its own. The original states to participate were Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, Rhode Island, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Following the games success, further states joined the MUSL and the Powerball / Lotto*America game.

In 1992 the game changed as did its official name to Powerball. The new game, with the addition of the Power Ball made it possible to win a prize by guessing just one number correctly.