The Biggest Chance to Win Big: Powerball Jackpot Soars to $1 Billion
The Powerball jackpot has soared to an astonishing $1 billion for the upcoming Saturday drawing, marking the seventh-largest jackpot in the game's history. This is the second time this year the Powerball jackpot has reached the billion-dollar milestone, following the massive $1.787 billion win in September.
How the Jackpot Grew
The jackpot grew because no one matched all six numbers in the last drawing. The numbers drawn were:
- 10
- 16
- 29
- 33
- 69
- Powerball: 22
Although no one won the jackpot, three lucky players from Maryland, Michigan, and New Jersey each won $1 million by matching five white balls.
Record-Breaking Drawing
This Saturday's drawing will be the 42nd in a row without a jackpot winner, tying the record for the most consecutive drawings in a single jackpot cycle. The last time someone won the Powerball jackpot was on September 6, when two tickets from Missouri and Texas split a $1.787 billion prize.
Prize Options
If someone wins this Saturday, they will have to choose between two prize options:
- An annuitized prize of $1 billion
- A lump sum of $461.3 million
Both amounts are before taxes. The annuity option includes:
- One immediate payment
- 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year
Ticket Sales and Fundraising
Powerball tickets cost $2 each and are sold in:
- 45 states
- District of Columbia
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
Over half of the proceeds from ticket sales stay in the area where the ticket was bought. Since its start in 1992, Powerball has raised over $37 billion for various good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.
Drawing Details
Powerball drawings happen live every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. You can watch the drawings on Powerball.com.
- Odds of winning any prize: 1 in 24.9
- Odds of winning the jackpot: 1 in 292.2 million
Responsible Gambling
Winning the Powerball jackpot is a long shot, but it's exciting to think about what you would do with that kind of money. Whether you play or not, it's important to remember that the lottery is a form of gambling and should be played responsibly. The thrill of the game is in the chance to win big, but it's also important to consider the odds and the potential consequences of winning.
