MS Powerball Rules
You can play Powerball by picking up a playslip from any licensed lottery retailer in Mississippi. Here are some rules to be aware of:
- You must be at least 21 years of age to buy lottery tickets or redeem prizes.
- Federal taxes will be withheld on any prize over $5,000, in addition to state taxes of up to 5 percent.
- The Mississippi Lottery will not disclose a winner's identity without the winner's written permission.
- Double Play is available to add to your tickets in Mississippi.
The How to Play page will tell you more about playing Powerball. Online play is not available in Mississippi.
Claiming Powerball Prizes in Mississippi
Powerball prizes won on tickets bought in Mississippi must also be claimed in Mississippi. You have 180 days from the date of the winning draw to claim and the method of claiming your prize depends on how much you win:
Up to $599.99
Prizes of this value can be claimed from the Mississippi Lottery headquarters or any licensed lottery retailer in the state. Your winning ticket is the only valid proof of your win so you need to present this when claiming.
Retailers must pay out prizes of up to $20 in cash, and prizes of a higher amount may be paid by cash, business check, or money order. If you claim at the MS Lottery headquarters, prizes of $50 or less will be paid in cash; all others will be paid by check or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
Between $600 and $99,999.99
You can claim prizes of between $600 and $99,999.99 at the Mississippi Lottery Corporation headquarters. You will need to provide your winning ticket, valid government-issued identification, such as a passport or state-issued driver''s license, and documentation to verify your Social Security Number. You can find the address of the Mississippi Lottery Corporation headquarters below.
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
1080 River Oaks Drive
Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS 39232
The Mississippi Lottery will pay out prizes of this value by check or EFT.
$100,000 and over
High-tier prizes of $100,000 or more must be claimed in person from the Mississippi Lottery headquarters at 1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100, Flowood, MS 39232.
To claim, you will need valid, government-issued identification and documentation to validate your Social Security number, such as your Social Security card or a pay stub.
When claiming a Powerball jackpot you have the option of receiving the money in one lump-sum payment or as regular annuity payments spread out over 29 years. You have 60 days from the date your claim is validated to make this decision; if you don't inform the Mississippi Lottery of your choice in this time, you will be paid the annuity. You can find more information on the Cash vs Annuity page.
Claim by Mail
You can claim any prize worth up to $99,999.99 by mail. You will need to mail the original winning ticket to the address below:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS 39232
If your prize is worth $600 or more you must also mail a completed Winner Claim Form and provide photocopies of two valid forms of government-issued identification, such as a state-issued driver's license or your passport. The ID must verify your name, signature, photograph, age, and Social Security Number.
Group Claims
The Mississippi Lottery Corporation will only pay out Powerball prizes to a single claimant, so if you play as part of a lottery syndicate or office pool you will need to take extra steps to ensure your group's other members are not taxed improperly.
When claiming as part of a group, you will need to include Internal Revenue Service form 5754 with the rest of your documentation. The person claiming the prize - and to whom the MS Lottery will pay the prize money - needs to fill in the first section of the form. The details of each other group member then need to be added to the second section. This will ensure that each member's tax liabilities are properly calculated.
Where Does The Money Go?
The Alyce G. Clarke Mississippi Lottery Law specifies that the first $80 million of the lottery's annual net proceeds will be allocated to the State Highway Fund for the repair and renovation of Mississippi's highways and bridges. Any proceeds above $80 million will be transferred to the Education Enhancement Fund, which provides funding for schools across the state.
This allocation of revenue will continue until June 30, 2028, after which any proceeds up to $80 million will go to the State General Fund. Any proceeds above this amount will still be allocated to the Education Enhancement Fund.
Frequently Asked Powerball Questions
Take a look at the most frequently asked questions about Powerball in Mississippi.
Who can play Powerball in Mississippi?
Anyone who is at least 21 years of age can purchase Powerball tickets.
What payment options can I use to purchase tickets?
Powerball tickets can be purchased with cash, credit card or debit card, although it is up to individual retailers which payment methods to accept.
Can I purchase Powerball tickets in Mississippi if I don't live in the state?
Yes, you do not have to be a resident of Mississippi to buy Powerball tickets in the state. That means players from neighboring Alabama - one of only several states in the US not to have a lottery - can purchase tickets in Mississippi. Any prizes won on tickets bought in Mississippi must be claimed in the same state.
What is the claim period in Mississippi?
You have up to 180 days after the date of the winning draw to claim prizes.
Can I stay anonymous if I win?
Yes, lottery winners in Mississippi can remain anonymous. The Mississippi Lottery will only disclose your name with your written consent. Take a look at the different publicity options for Powerball winners.
What do I do if I lose my ticket?
You can only claim prizes if you have the winning ticket in your possession, so it's important that you keep it safe. Sign the back of the ticket straight away to prevent anyone else claiming a prize with it.
