A Power Dip is one of New Zealand Lotto’s ready-made “Lucky Dip” tickets: it bundles a set number of randomly generated lines that each play both Lotto and Powerball. You pick no numbers at all — the in-store terminal or the MyLotto app selects them for you — and every line on the ticket carries six Lotto numbers plus a Powerball number. This guide explains exactly what a Power Dip includes, what it costs in 2026, the real odds of winning, and how it compares with a Lucky Dip, a Triple Dip and choosing your own numbers.
What is a Power Dip?
A Power Dip is a pre-set random ticket that plays Lotto and Powerball together on every line. “Dip” is Lotto NZ’s word for a quick pick: instead of filling in a coupon, you let the system generate the numbers. A plain Dip (also called a Lucky Dip) covers only the main Lotto draw; a Power Dip is the version that adds Powerball to each of those lines.
It sits inside Lotto NZ’s “Dip” family of ready-made tickets, alongside the Lucky Dip (Lotto only), the Triple Dip (Lotto, Powerball and Strike) and the Combo Dip (a randomly generated System entry). The Power Dip is the middle option: more than a Lotto-only ticket, but without the Strike game that a Triple Dip adds.
What’s included in a Power Dip?
Every line on a Power Dip includes six randomly chosen Lotto numbers plus one Powerball number. Specifically, each line contains:
- Six Lotto numbers drawn from the pool of 1 to 40.
- One Powerball number drawn from the separate pool of 1 to 14.
At the draw, six main balls and one bonus ball are drawn from the 40-ball Lotto machine, and a single Powerball is drawn from its own machine. The Powerball pool was expanded from 1–10 to 1–14 on 13 September 2026, so a Power Dip bought today carries a Powerball between 1 and 14. If you want the full detail on that update, see our explainer on how Powerball works in New Zealand.
A Power Dip always comes as a fixed block of lines — you don’t build it line by line. The most common sizes sold are 8-line and 10-line tickets, though Lotto NZ can offer other sizes, and the exact options shown in store or on MyLotto can change.
Does a Power Dip include Strike?
No — a Power Dip plays Lotto and Powerball only. Strike is a separate game where you try to match the first four main Lotto numbers in the exact order they are drawn. If you want all three games on one random ticket, that product is the Triple Dip, not the Power Dip. You can read how the third game works in our guide to how Lotto Strike works.
What does a Power Dip cost in NZ?
A Power Dip costs $1.50 for each line, because every line combines a $0.70 Lotto line with the $0.80 Powerball add-on. That per-line price was not changed by the September 2026 update. On the two most common sizes that works out to:
- 8-line Power Dip: $12.00 (8 × $1.50).
- 10-line Power Dip: $15.00 (10 × $1.50).
Those totals are simply the per-line price multiplied by the number of lines, so any other Power Dip size follows the same maths. For a full breakdown of how lines, Powerball and Strike are priced, see our rundown of Lotto ticket prices in New Zealand.
Two things are worth knowing before you pay. First, prices and the exact Dip sizes on offer can change, so confirm the figure on the ticket or in the MyLotto app. Second, if you enter a Power Dip into more than one draw (a multi-draw ticket), the cost multiplies: a $12 Power Dip played across four draws is $48, with no bulk discount.
What are the odds of winning with a Power Dip?
A Power Dip has exactly the same odds as a ticket where you choose your own numbers — random lines and hand-picked lines are mathematically identical. Buying a Dip changes nothing about your chances; it only changes who selects the numbers.
Per line, the headline odds are:
- Lotto First Division (match all six main numbers): about 1 in 3,838,380.
- Powerball First Division (those six numbers plus the Powerball): about 1 in 53,737,320. This lengthened from 1 in 38,383,800 when the Powerball pool grew to 1–14 on 13 September 2026.
Because a Power Dip holds several lines, your odds improve in proportion to how many lines you hold. A 10-line Power Dip gives roughly a 1 in 383,838 chance at Lotto First Division and about 1 in 5,373,732 at the Powerball jackpot across the whole ticket. More lines shorten the odds, but even ten lines leave the top prize a very long shot. For the broader picture, see the real odds of winning Powerball in NZ.
How does a Power Dip compare to other Dips and to your own numbers?
The quickest way to see where a Power Dip fits is to line the Dip products up side by side. The table below compares what each one plays, the sizes you’ll usually see, and who each suits.
Dip options compared
| Dip type | Games on each line | Common sizes | Typical cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucky Dip | Lotto only | 8 lines (other sizes offered) | From $5.60 (8 lines at $0.70) | The lowest-cost random entry, main Lotto draw only |
| Power Dip | Lotto + Powerball | 8 or 10 lines | $12.00 (8 lines) or $15.00 (10 lines) at $1.50 a line | Playing Lotto and Powerball together on one random ticket |
| Triple Dip | Lotto + Powerball + Strike | Varies | Higher than a Power Dip of the same size (adds $1.00 per Strike line) | Covering all three games in a single random ticket |
| Combo Dip | Lotto (+ Powerball) as a random System entry | Varies with the system chosen | Considerably more than a standard ticket | Wider number coverage in one draw |
Dip sizes and prices can change — confirm the current options on MyLotto or at a Lotto retailer before you buy.
Power Dip vs Lucky Dip
The difference is Powerball. A Lucky Dip plays the main Lotto draw only at $0.70 a line (an 8-line Lucky Dip is $5.60), while a Power Dip adds the $0.80 Powerball to every line, taking each line to $1.50. Choose a Power Dip if you want a shot at the Powerball jackpot; a Lucky Dip is the cheaper, Lotto-only option.
Power Dip vs Triple Dip
A Triple Dip is a Power Dip plus Strike. It covers all three games — Lotto, Powerball and Strike — on a single random ticket, so it costs more per ticket than a Power Dip of the same size. If you don’t play Strike, the Power Dip gives you the Lotto-and-Powerball combination without paying for the extra game.
Power Dip vs Combo Dip
A Combo Dip is a randomly generated System (or “Combo”) entry, where a block of numbers is played in every possible combination so you cover far more lines than a standard ticket. It is aimed at players who want wider coverage in one draw and costs considerably more than a standard Power Dip. The size and price vary with the system chosen — see our guide to Lotto Combo prices for how system entries are costed.
Power Dip vs picking your own numbers
The odds are identical, so the choice comes down to convenience and habit. A Power Dip is instant and avoids any bias toward “lucky” dates or patterns, which is useful if you simply want a quick entry. Picking your own numbers (by coupon, or with a tool such as a Lotto number generator) lets you keep the same set every week, which matters to players who would be upset to miss a draw with their usual numbers. Neither approach improves your chance of winning.
How to buy a Power Dip
You can buy a Power Dip either in person or online, and the product is the same in both places.
- In store: ask a Lotto retailer for a Power Dip and, if you want a particular size, say how many lines. The terminal prints a ticket with the randomly generated numbers already on it.
- On MyLotto: choose the Dip option when playing Lotto, select Powerball, and the app generates the lines for you. You can add the ticket to multiple draws before you pay.
Keep the printed ticket or your MyLotto account record — it is proof of the numbers and the draws your Power Dip is entered in.
Common mistakes to avoid with a Power Dip
Most misunderstandings about Power Dips come from assuming they do more than they do. Watch for these:
- Thinking a Dip has better odds. Random lines and chosen lines have exactly the same chance; a Power Dip is about speed, not an edge.
- Assuming Strike is included. It isn’t — a Power Dip is Lotto and Powerball only. You need a Triple Dip for Strike.
- Not checking the size and price. Dip sizes and prices can change, so confirm the number of lines and the total before you pay.
- Forgetting the multi-draw multiplier. Entering a Power Dip into several draws multiplies the cost with no discount.
- Spending more than you planned. A Power Dip is a fixed, higher-priced ticket than a Lotto-only Dip; set a budget before you buy.
Responsible gambling
Lotto games, including Power Dips, are a form of gambling with a negative expected return: over time, far more is spent on tickets than is paid out in prizes. A Power Dip is entertainment, not a way to make money, and no product, system or number pattern improves your odds. Only spend what you can afford to lose, and never chase losses.
If gambling is causing harm for you or someone you know, free, confidential help is available in New Zealand around the clock from the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or by texting 8006. You must be 18 or over to hold a MyLotto account.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay tax on a Power Dip win in New Zealand?
No. Lotto NZ prizes, including anything won on a Power Dip, are paid as a lump sum and are not taxed in New Zealand. Any interest or investment income you later earn from the money can be taxable, but the prize itself is not.
How long do I have to claim a prize from a Power Dip?
You have 12 months from the date of the draw to claim a prize. Smaller prizes can be paid automatically to a MyLotto account or at a retailer, while larger prizes are claimed through Lotto NZ. Keep your ticket or MyLotto record safe until the prize is paid.
Is there a minimum age to buy a Power Dip?
To play online through MyLotto you must be 18 or over to hold an account. In store, retailers can decline to sell to anyone they believe is underage, and Lotto NZ promotes its games as adult entertainment.
Can I see my Power Dip numbers before the draw?
Yes. The randomly generated numbers are printed on your in-store ticket and shown in your MyLotto account for online tickets, so you can check them before and after the draw.
