The Powerball jackpot is soaring to almost a billion dollars, reaching an estimated $950 million after no ticket matched all six numbers in Monday night's drawing. The previous jackpot, a hefty $850 million, went unclaimed, leaving the prize to roll over and swell to a staggering near-billion-dollar sum. This marks the seventh-largest Powerball jackpot in history, igniting excitement and anticipation across the nation. Lottery officials are bracing for a surge in ticket sales as hopeful players dream of claiming the life-altering prize. The next drawing is scheduled for [insert date and time of next drawing], and the odds of winning remain a slim 1 in 292.2 million, but that hasn't deterred millions from purchasing tickets in the hopes of becoming the next Powerball jackpot winner. The sheer magnitude of the prize money is prompting conversations about responsible financial planning and the potential impact such a windfall could have on the lives of the lucky winner – or winners, should the ticket be shared.
The Powerball jackpot is approaching the $1 billion mark for Saturday night's drawing.
It's at an estimated $950 million after no tickets came up winners for Wednesday night's jackpot of roughly $850 million — the game's sixth-largest ever at the time. Those winning numbers were 9, 12, 22, 41, 61 with a Powerball of 25.
The estimated cash value of Saturday night's pot of gold is $428.9 million. Wednesday's had an estimated cash value of $383.7 million, . All the totals are before taxes are taken out. Jackpots can grow as more and more tickets are gobbled up.
The $950 million grand prize would also rank as Powerball's sixth-biggest ever -- behind the last one to top $1 billion -- the $1.08 billion windfall won on July 19, 2023, in California.
"Powerball ticket sales have doubled in the past week, as more players join the fun with a $2 ticket, while also giving back to good causes in their communities," Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group chair and Iowa Lottery CEO said ahead of Wednesday night's drawing.
A single jackpot winner would have the choice of taking a lump sum payment or opting for a payout via an annuity that would consist of one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year.
No one has won Powerball's jackpot since May 31, when a single ticket claimed a $204.5 million jackpot with a cash value of $91.6 million.
The are 1 in 292.2 million, according to Powerball. Drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m. ET.
In 2022, a single ticket sold in Altadena, California, claimed a $2.04 billion jackpot, the . The first Powerball drawing was in 1992.
Powerball tickets cost $2 each and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
