The West Virginia Lottery offers a diverse selection of draw games, ranging from daily options like Daily 3 and Daily 4 to the more headline-grabbing multi-state games such as MEGA MILLIONS®, LOTTO AMERICA©, and POWERBALL©.
Each game category serves a different playing style—some deliver quick, consistent action while others build toward those attention-grabbing jackpots with less frequent draws.
If you’re figuring out where and how is best to try your chances in West Virginia, POWERBALL© is just one of the many multi-state games that stands out. However, despite all being chance-based, POWERBALL© differs from daily draws significantly. Therefore, here’s a straightforward breakdown of the key differences so you know which game to choose before the next POWERBALL drawing takes place.
Daily draw games: The quick-play options
Daily draw games like Daily 3 and Daily 4 offer a distinctly different way to play than POWERBALL©.
- Straightforward mechanics: Pick three or four digits based on your game choice.
- Nightly drawings: Held every evening at 6:59 PM ET, giving you 365 chances to play yearly.
- Predictable prize structures: Payouts follow set patterns based on your play type and wager. For instance, Daily 4 offers a top prize of $5,000 on a $1 Exact Order play.
These games are suitable for players who prefer:
- Regular, consistent play opportunities
- Simpler number selection
- More modest but more frequent prize potential
Multi-state games: Less frequent, bigger draws
Multi-state draw games operate across numerous participating Lottery jurisdictions, delivering:
- Substantial starting jackpots
- Tiered prize structures with national recognition
- Scheduled weekly drawings
The major players in this category include:
- POWERBALL©: Draws on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- MEGA MILLIONS®: Draws on Tuesday and Friday
- LOTTO AMERICA©: Draws on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
All available to play both online and at local Lottery retailers in West Virginia, these games typically involve selecting multiple numbers from different pools, with various prize levels awarded for matching different combinations. When no jackpot winner emerges, prize pools grow until won.
POWERBALL©
POWERBALL© is perhaps the most recognized Lottery game in America, firmly positioned in the multi-state draw category. Several distinctive features define its unique position:
Draw schedule
POWERBALL© holds three weekly draws—on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET. This schedule balances the daily games and twice-weekly options, giving you regular chances to participate.
How the game works
- Select five numbers between one and 69
- Choose one POWERBALL© number from one to 26
- Choose whether or not to add Power Play® to multiply non-jackpot prizes, at an extra cost per ticket
This structure creates more complexity than daily games but enables those headline-grabbing prize amounts to grow.
Jackpot dynamics
POWERBALL© jackpots start at $20 million and climb higher with each drawing that passes without a grand prize winner. The game features nine separate prize tiers.
Finding your Lottery match
To find the game that suits your playing preferences:
- Consider daily games for more frequent play opportunities, faster outcomes, and smaller wager amounts.
- Look to POWERBALL© if you’re drawn to substantial prize possibilities and nationally recognized draws.
The WV Lottery’s iPLAY platform lets you try either game type based on your preferences. You can also use features like multi-draw entries, digital ticket storage, and responsible gaming tools to maintain responsible play.
