The Powerball jackpot has soared to an astounding estimated $1.6 billion in anticipation of Monday night’s drawing, marking the fifth-largest prize in U.S. lottery history. This significant increase in the jackpot follows Saturday night’s drawing, where no ticket successfully matched all six winning numbers.
In the recent drawing, the white balls drawn were 4, 5, 28, 52, and 69, with the red Powerball being 20. The Power Play multiplier was recorded at 3. With this surge, the cash value of the jackpot stands at approximately $735.3 million.
The Powerball lottery also reported that while no one won the jackpot in the previous drawing, eight fortunate tickets matched all five white balls. These winning Match 5 tickets were sold across several states, including California, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Ohio.
This current drawing will be the 46th in a remarkable jackpot run, which the lottery notes is a record for the most drawings during a single jackpot cycle. The odds of winning any prize in Powerball stand at 1 in 24.9, while the odds of claiming the jackpot are significantly lower at 1 in 292.2 million. Powerball tickets are available for purchase in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with drawings held three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
The last jackpot was won on September 6, when two lucky tickets from Missouri and Texas shared a staggering $1.787 billion prize. Future winners will have the option of choosing a lump sum payment, estimated at $735.3 million, or an annuitized prize totaling $1.6 billion, distributed in an initial payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year.
The excitement surrounding well-anticipated lottery drawings like Powerball not only stimulates enthusiasm among players but also contributes to local funding initiatives across various states. With the enormous jackpot on the line, many are looking forward to the upcoming drawing with hopes of a life-changing win.