Imagine a world where you don't have to queue for lottery tickets. Or make long expensive journeys. Yet you never have to miss a draw. Or the chance to win big.
Good news - this world exists.
Now, Canadians can play the US Powerball lottery without having to get up from the sofa. It's the same game with the same options, the same rules, and all the same chances to win - with the effortlessness of purchasing your tickets online.
So, let's take a look at how you can play the US Powerball in Canada.
Is it legal for Canadians to play the US Powerball?
You might be wondering how Canadians can play and win Powerball at home. Well, in fact, it's never been easier.
Playing online means you don't have to worry about the American law that prevents foreigners from entering or exiting the US while in possession of a lottery ticket. In short, if you buy a ticket in the US, you have to leave it there and return after the draw to collect any prize it may have won.
By playing online, you don't even have to cross the border to get your ticket. You can buy your Powerball tickets from an online lottery messenger service, which purchases lottery tickets on your behalf before sending you a scanned copy of them.
If you win with a Powerball ticket you bought online, your winnings are deposited into the account you created with that lottery messenger service. You are then free to withdraw that money to your own bank account, or use it to buy more lottery tickets and continue your dance with Lady Luck.
What's more, when you create an online account with a lottery messenger, you pick your lucky numbers and provide your credit card details as you would normally, but your tickets can be automatically purchased each week, thanks to the nifty lottery subscription feature.
You never have to miss a draw.
What about tax?
In the US, lottery winnings are considered a form of income and are therefore subject to taxes.
While non-US citizens will be subject to the taxes if they win, too, Canada does not tax its citizens on lottery winnings - so, you only need to pay what the American government requires. And, with the exchange rate currently working in our favour, a US Powerball prize is slightly more valuable in CAD$.
Keep in mind that if you do win a Powerball jackpot, you'll struggle to keep it under wraps. Only a few states in the US allow winners to remain anonymous. Even if you purchase your tickets online, you must still abide by the laws of the state where the official Powerball tickets were bought. This is why we recommend keeping a low profile if you win a large jackpot.
How can I play the US Powerball online?
By far the biggest advantage of playing the US Powerball online is that it takes a few minutes to buy a ticket that could change your life forever. In fact, it only takes a few clicks of your mouse.
Here's how it's done:
- Register an account online.
- Choose the US Powerball lottery and select how many draws you want to take part in.
- Choose your lucky numbers - or get them randomly generated!
- Add your entry.
- Confirm and pay.
- Cross your fingers and toes and put on your lucky socks - you might just be a winner!
A Powerball ticket costs $2 and ticket sales stop about 59 minutes before the draw, though they may stop a little earlier with lottery messengers to ensure tickets can be bought.
To win the jackpot, you must match all five white balls and the red Powerball. To win the second prize of $1 million USD, you must match all five white balls without the red Powerball.
Once a draw takes place - and if you have won any amount - you will receive an automatic email notification letting you know, and your account balance will be credited with that winning amount - for you to transfer however you see fit. If you win big, a customer support agent will contact you personally to discuss collection methods and deposit of your winnings.
Lottery services have transformed the way people play lotteries. Now that Canadians can legally take part in and win the US Powerball, stress-free and travel-free, we foresee a lot more of them trying their luck at hitting the jackpot!
You never know, you could buy a ticket this morning and be yachting off somewhere exotic by the weekend.
They say you have to be in it to win it. Now, being in it has never been easier.