Could You Be the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year 2021?
One lucky lottery player will have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of winning $1 million just minutes into the New Year as the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year of 2021.
For the second year in a row, Powerball and Dick Clark Productions are offering this incredible promotion to players across the country. The $1 million winner will be randomly chosen live on ABC TV as part of the Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast from New York. The draw will take place minutes after the ball drops in Times Square at midnight.
"Even though many aspects of our lives have changed, the ball will still drop and a new year will begin. This year's experience might be different, but the shot at winning a million dollars remains," said Hoosier Lottery Executive Director Sarah M. Taylor.
The promotion was held for the first time in 2020, when single dad Blaine Marston of Maine took home the $1 million prize. "I can't even believe it, this is unreal," he said. "Like I'm dreaming!" The lucky winner is one of eleven siblings, and after the draw his brother Josh immediately jumped on stage to hug him. Marston later said he wasn't ready to retire and loves his job working with people who have developmental disabilities.
Powerball Promotion Details
The competition has launched in Indiana, Kansas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Rhode Island. A total of 26 lotteries will participate over the coming months. Here's how it works:
- Players can enter their tickets into a special second-chance drawing that will be held by each state lottery to select semi-finalists. Entry procedures vary by state.
- A second national draw will be held to choose five finalists, who will get a shot at the $1 million prize.
- A few minutes into 2021, one of the five finalists will be randomly selected as the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year!
"As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year promotion has been slightly modified for the safety of all participants," said Bret Toyne, executive director of the Multi-State Lottery Association, which offers Powerball.
"The finalists will have the option of attending the live drawing in New York or having a Rockin' New Year's Eve at a local venue. Either way, someone winning one million dollars live on New Year's Rockin' Eve is must see television."
Whether taking off for Manhattan or staying cozy at home, both packages offer a luxury experience:
- An all-expenses-paid luxury trip for two to the Big Apple, including spending money, and special events, including the Dick Clark’s New Year's Rockin’ Eve live broadcast from Times Square, where the $1 million winner will be randomly selected.
- Finalists can also choose to party at home, with a package including $12,500 cash, dinner for eight from Omaha Steaks, 70-inch LED TV with surround sound, karaoke system, $500 Party City gift certificate, and more. Finalists will participate in the First Millionaire of the Year draw remotely.
How to Enter
Rules are different depending on the state, but all players will need to submit tickets by the deadline to enter a draw to select state winners. Keep your tickets, because they're required to claim your winnings
These semi-finalists will take part in a nationwide contest to determine the five finalists - one of whom will win the $1 million prize.
Indiana
Submit your entry (non-winning Powerball tickets) by September 14, 2020
30 Hoosier Lottery players will win $500 and go in the drawing to become a finalist.
Kansas
Submit your entry (winning or non-winning Powerball tickets) by September 27, 2020.
11 KS Lottery players will win $1,000 each and go in the drawing to become a finalist.
New Mexico
Submit your entry by September 30, 2020.
A minimum spend of $6 on one Powerball ticket is required to generate an entry coupon. Enter the coupon's serial number via the link above.
Eight NM Lottery winners will receive $400 cash and $600 in Scratchers and go in the drawing to become a finalist.
In 2020, Cecil Royce of Albuquerque was one of the five finalists who received a trip to New York and was entered in the draw for $1 million.
North Dakota
Submit your entry by October 12, 2020.
Five participants in the ND Lottery Players Club® Points for Drawings™ will win $1,000 and go in the drawing to become a finalist.
Pennsylvania
Submit your entry by October 1, 2020.
Submit either winning or non-winning draw game tickets (including Powerball, Mega Millions, Cash4Life, PICK games, Treasure Hunt, Cash 5, Match 6 Lotto, and Keno) purchased from a PA Lottery retailer.
40 winners will receive $2,020 each and go in the drawing to become a finalist.
South Dakota
Submit your entry (non-winning Powerball tickets) by October 14, 2020.
Five winners will take home a prize pack and go in the drawing to become a finalist.
Rhode Island
Powerball tickets purchased from August 30 to October 21, 2020, will include a Second Chance Code. To submit your entry, enter the code by 11:59 pm on Thursday, October 22, 2020.
Nine winners will each receive $1,000 and go in the drawing to become a finalist.
Participating Lotteries
In addition to the states above, lotteries that will take part in the promotion in the coming months are: Arizona, Connecticut, DC, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont. North Carolina has completed its entry period.
New-Look Powerball Draw Show to Launch This Year
Powerball also has another exciting development in store for players. A new Powerball Draw Show will launch this year with fresh background graphics and music, and Smart Play draw machines will also make their debut.
"Our objective going into this project was to create a modern, fun and thrilling backdrop that captures the anticipatory excitement of winning a life-changing prize," said Beth Bresnahan, Executive Director of the DC Lottery. "I believe we achieved this with new graphics, new music and tweaks to the script that showcase the winning numbers and complement the Powerball brand."
Published: Wednesday, September 2, 2020Updated: Wednesday, May 25, 2022