when do they stop selling powerball tickets in texas

In Texas, Powerball ticket sales stop at 9:00 p.m. Central Time on the night of the drawing, which is held at 10:12 p.m. CT on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

When sales end

• Powerball drawings in Texas happen at 10:12 p.m. Central Time (which is 11:12 p.m. Eastern Time) on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights.

• Retailers must stop selling tickets at 9:00 p.m. CT on those days, about 72 minutes before the drawing.

• Any ticket purchased after 9:00 p.m. CT will be for the next drawing, not the one happening that night.

What this means for players

• If you want to play in the drawing on a specific night (for example, Saturday night), you must buy your ticket by 9:00 p.m. CT that same day.

• A ticket bought at 9:01 p.m. CT or later will be valid only for the following drawing (e.g., the next Monday).

• This cutoff is enforced to give the lottery system time to close sales and transmit all entries before the draw.

Where to buy tickets

• In Texas, Powerball tickets must be bought in person from a licensed Texas Lottery retailer (like a gas station, grocery store, or convenience store).

• As of 2025, Texas no longer allows third‑party apps or online services to sell Powerball tickets; all sales are face‑to‑face at physical locations.

Tips to avoid missing the cutoff

• Plan to buy early, especially on big jackpot nights when lines can get long near 9:00 p.m..

• Double‑check the drawing date and time printed on your ticket to confirm which draw it’s for.

• If you’re cutting it close, call or check with your local retailer to confirm they’re still selling Powerball tickets before heading over.

So, to play in a Texas Powerball drawing, just remember: tickets must be bought by 9:00 p.m. Central Time on drawing nights.