how late can i buy powerball tickets

The latest time to buy Powerball tickets varies depending on the state or jurisdiction but is generally between one to two hours before the drawing. Powerball drawings happen at 10:59 p.m. ET on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. For example, in Eastern Time Zone states, the cutoff for ticket sales is usually around 9:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET. In Central Time Zone states, it's typically around 8:59 p.m. CT, while Mountain and Pacific Time Zones may have earlier deadlines, sometimes as early as 6:45 p.m. PT. Some states like Maine have a cutoff at 9:50 p.m. ET, and in Florida, the cutoff is 10:00 p.m. ET for Powerball on draw nights. It's important to check the specific rules for the state or retailer where the ticket is being purchased because times can vary.