Lotto Powerball has $5m up for grabs after last week’s ‘must-win’ Lotto draw

Powerball players are in the running for a $5 million prize tonight after last week’s unusual must-be-won jackpot was triggered early.

The winning numbers are: 23, 21, 13, 32, 22, 9 and bonus 27. The Powerball number was 1.

Tonight’s prize climbed to $5m when the Wednesday draw went by without a winner.

However, the draw comes amid a planned mass upgrade to Lotto NZ’s systems that kicks in from September 29.

To reduce demand on the system when it goes through the upgrade, Lotto NZ scheduled a must-win $10m draw last Saturday.

Usually, the jackpotting lottery has a maximum prize of $50m, after which a must-be-won draw is called.

However, Lotto called the earlier jackpot because it believed it would be bringing much greater customer experiences with its “once-in-a-generation” upgrade to its “core technology” and in-store hardware.

Since Powerball began in 2001 11 must-be-won draws have been called, with tonight’s draw becoming the 12th. Photo / Lotto NZ

“This once-in-a-generation project will enable future innovations and improved customer experiences,” Lotto NZ head of corporate communications, Will Hine, said ahead of last week’s draw.

“To support a smooth transition, we’re ‘clearing the decks’ to reduce system load ahead of the upgrade.”

A large jackpot puts increased data demand and increased strain on Lotto NZ’s systems and staff at a critical time in their project, he said.

While the technology upgrade has been set for September 29, Lotto confirmed only the September 13 draw would be run under must-win conditions.

Tonight’s draw and September 27 were to proceed as normal.

Under Lotto NZ rules, a must-be-won draw is called when the Powerball jackpot reaches $50m or has run for 52 games.

However, the organisation can also call a must-be-won draw at other times and jackpot levels for particular events, for example, in 2023 when it held a special draw to raise funds for aid after Cyclone Gabrielle.

In June, the Herald revealed Lotto NZ bosses are keen to increase the number of balls in the Powerball draw, which would make it harder to win.

Since Powerball began in 2001, 12 must-win draws have been called.