The latest time to buy a Powerball ticket depends on the state where the ticket is being purchased, but generally, ticket sales close about one hour before the drawing. The Powerball drawing is held at 10:59 p.m. ET on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. For example:
- Most states close ticket sales one to two hours before the drawing.
- Florida closes Powerball ticket sales at 10:00 p.m. ET, 59 minutes before the 10:59 p.m. drawing.
- Pennsylvania closes ticket sales at 9:59 p.m. ET.
- South Dakota closes ticket sales at 9:00 p.m. Central Time.
- Arkansas stops Powerball sales one hour before the drawing.
The exact cutoff time varies by state due to local regulations, but typically it is an hour or slightly more before the 10:59 p.m. ET drawing time.
