If you’re a fan of the occasional flutter on Powerball or Lotto, you might want to check your wallet before you buy your next ticket—because the cost of chasing that life-changing jackpot is about to go up.

The Lottery Corporation, the company behind some of Australia’s most popular lottery games—including Powerball, Oz Lotto, and Saturday Lotto—has just announced a shake-up to its ticket pricing structure.


Starting next week, the price of entry-level games will rise by 20 cents per ticket. That means your regular numbers will cost a little more to play, whether you’re buying in-store or online.

The announcement followed The Lottery Corporation’s latest financial results, which revealed a whopping $3.7 billion in revenue for the year, though that figure was actually down 6.2 per cent compared to the previous year.


Despite the dip, the company’s operating expenses climbed by 4.3 per cent, with much of the increase attributed to rising technology costs (because, let’s face it, running those flashy digital displays and keeping your favourite app running smoothly isn’t cheap).

Sue van der Merwe, the company’s managing director and chief executive, explained that the price changes are part of a broader 'refresh' for Powerball, aiming to reinforce its status as the 'premium jackpot game' in the portfolio.

In other words, they want Powerball to remain the big, exciting draw that gets everyone dreaming of yachts and world cruises.

• Powerball and other weekly lotto games: Entry price per game increases by 20 cents from next week.
• Saturday Lotto: Already saw a 10-cent per game increase, with the Division 1 prize boosted from $5 million to $6 million.

So, if you’re a regular player, you must factor these changes into your weekly budget.

While 20 cents might not sound like much, it can add up over time—especially if you play multiple games or syndicates.

According to Ms van der Merwe, the tweaks are designed to keep the games attractive and competitive, especially as more Aussies look for value during tough economic times.

Despite the price increases, participation in the top three games (Powerball, Oz Lotto, and Saturday Lotto) has remained relatively stable, with Oz Lotto even seeing a slight uptick.


The company also pointed out that the past year delivered some truly massive jackpots—three $100 million Powerball draws and a $100 million Oz Lotto jackpot—so the excitement is still alive.

The Lottery Corporation is betting big on digital growth, with more players than ever buying tickets online or through apps.

They’re promising 'enhanced personalisation' (think tailored offers and reminders) and further productivity gains, all aimed at supporting long-term value for both the company and its loyal punters.

For most of us, the price hike is a small but noticeable change. If you’re a casual player, it might not make much difference.

But if you’re a regular, it’s worth keeping an eye on your spending—especially if you’re playing multiple games each week.
On the bright side, the increased Division 1 prize for Saturday Lotto means there’s a little more to play for, and the company is promising to keep the games fresh and exciting.
What do you think about the new price changes? Will it affect how often you play, or are you happy to pay a little extra for the chance to win big? Have you ever won a decent prize? Let us know in the comments below.

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