Powerball Jackpot Expected To Be $1.8B; Now, Where Are The Lucky Places To Buy Tickets In NH?

CONCORD, NH — The lack of a Powerball jackpot winner for more than 40 consecutive drawings has led to Saturday’s jackpot being anticipated to be the second-highest lottery jackpot in history, according to officials.

The jackpot is expected to be $1.8 billion with a one-time cash payout, before taxes, of $826.4 million. Charlie McIntyre, the executive director of the lottery, said that despite 41 consecutive drawings not yielding a jackpot winner, there have been a flurry of winners in the state with the lower prizes — including several $50,000 ticket winners and a $2 million winner, as well.

“The buzz is all about this billion-dollar-plus jackpot,” he said. “This massive jackpot is driving sales, helping the New Hampshire Lottery deliver maximum revenue for public education in our great state. I love handing out prize checks and I also love the revenue going back to our schools.”

Top 10 Lottery Jackpots

1. $2.040 billion, Nov. 7, 2022 (Powerball)
2. $1.8 billion, Sept. 6, 2025 (Powerball) - anticipated
3. $1.765 billion, Oct. 11, 2023 (Powerball)
4. $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023 (Mega Millions)
5. $1.586 billion, Jan. 13, 2016 (Powerball)
6. $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018 (Mega Millions)
7. $1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023 (Mega Millions)
8. $1.337 billion, July 29, 2022 (Mega Millions)
9. $1.326 billion, April 6, 2024 (Powerball)
10. $1.269 billion, Dec. 27, 2024 (Mega Millions)

Powerball drawings are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. Players have until 9:50 p.m. on those days to purchase a ticket. There are more than 1,200 retailers across the state selling lottery tickets. Tickets can also be purchased online.

McIntyre said that, while there is excitement about the game, the lottery also wanted to remind players to be responsible when buying tickets.

“It only takes one ticket to win,” he said. “Office pools or pools with friends and family are very popular. Make sure everyone knows the rules, how the prize, when won, is divided, and provide copies of tickets purchased to everyone in the pool. Again, make sure you are all on the same page.”

The odds of winning the jackpot are one in 292,201,338. But that does not mean Granite Staters or even people visiting New Hampshire have not won.

A dozen people have won either Powerball or Mega Millions jackpots by purchasing tickets in the state since 1996, according to the lottery.

The biggest winner in New Hampshire was the Good Karma 2018 Family Trust of Merrimack, which won $352 million and took the cash option on Jan. 6, 2018. The ticket was sold at Reed’s Ferry Market in Merrimack. The second biggest winner was the Robin Egg 2016 Nominee Trust, which won $341.7 million on July 30, 2016. That ticket was sold at Hannaford Supermarket in Raymond. The winner also took the cash option. Two stores in Manchester have sold winning jackpot tickets, along with the Merrimack and Exeter stores. A Portsmouth store sold a $46 million jackpot winner in February 2004.

Only one Mega Millions jackpot has been won in New Hampshire: The Just as B4 Nominee Trust of 2019 of Portsmouth won $108.5 million on July 23, 2019. The ticket was sold at Brookside Market & Deli in Exeter. The trust also took the cash option.

Other Powerball Jackpot Winners

The following people and trusts have won Powerball in New Hampshire:

Dean Leighton of Chester won $51 million (annuity option) on March 30, 1996. The ticket was sold at Sandy’s Variety in Manchester.

Mary and Jason Sanderson of Manchester, who won $66 million (annuity option) on Dec. 17, 1997. The ticket was sold at N-N Express in Manchester.

PB 10 and PB 90 Trust of Lewiston, Maine, who won $25 million (annuity option) on Jan. 7, 1998. The ticket was sold at Stateline Store Center Conway.

Sidonia Trust of New York, New York, won $38 million (cash option) on Jan. 16, 1999. The ticket was sold at Isinglass Country Store in Center Strafford.

Pat and Erwin Wales of Bar Mills, Maine, who won $41.4 million (cash option) on Aug. 27, 2001. The ticket was sold at Cumberland Farms in Rollinsford.

Nicholas and Carolyn Zayka of Bolton, Massachusetts, who won $42.9 million (cash option) on May 12, 2002. The ticket was sold at P. K. Zylas Texaco in Weirs Beach.

Aeetos Trust of North Conway; Rosemary Centola, Watertown, MA, and Lawrence Centola, Watertown, MA, who won $70 million (cash option) on Aug. 30, 2003. The ticket was sold at State Line Store in Center Conway, New Hampshire.

The Bow Trust of Portland, Maine, won $46 million (cash option) on Feb. 4, 2004. The ticket was sold at Gary’s Beverage in Portsmouth.

Dale Chellis and Toni Sergott of Lake Zurich, Illinois, who won $31.9 million on April 28, 2007. The ticket was sold at the Plymouth Liquor Store in Plymouth.

No one store has had more than one jackpot winner and none of the NH iLottery.com players have picked a jackpot. The online players, however, have won $50,000 and $1 million Powerball tickets. In September 2024, the only $1 million Mega Millions winning ticket was sold in New Hampshire at the Common Man, on the southbound side of Interstate 93 in Hooksett.

According to the lottery, 16 players have won between $50,000 and $500,000 by matching four numbers and the Powerball, with some opting to increase their prize via Power Play. Six players have won $1 million or $2 million, matching five numbers, while also choosing the Power Play option.

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