The Powerball jackpot has captivated the nation once again, as the winning numbers for an estimated grand prize of $1.1 billion were drawn on Monday evening. The numbers drawn are 23, 35, 59, 63, 68, with a Powerball of 2. Players also had the chance to multiply their winnings through the Power Play option, which for this drawing delivered a multiplier of 4x.
This massive jackpot is notable for being the sixth-largest since the inception of the lottery game in 1992. Prospective winners can choose between receiving the $1.1 billion prize in a 30-year annuity or a lump-sum payment estimated at $503.4 million, both figures calculated before taxes.
This year’s occurrence marks the second time the Powerball has surpassed the billion-dollar threshold, and only the seventh instance in the game’s history. Earlier in September, a record-breaking $1.787 billion jackpot was shared between tickets sold in Missouri and Texas, highlighting the growing excitement surrounding Powerball.
The latest drawing on Monday set a record by marking the 43rd consecutive drawing without a jackpot win since that September victory, breaking the previous record of 42 straight drawings. While there was no jackpot winner in the prior drawing on Saturday, several players still walked away with substantial prizes. Five tickets sold in California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia matched all five white balls, each winning $1 million. Additionally, two tickets sold in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, which had the Power Play option, garnered $2 million for the same match.
Powerball continues to be a popular game across the U.S., played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. With three weekly drawings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, tickets are priced at $2 each. The Power Play option, allowing players to increase their potential winnings, requires an additional $1 investment. The odds of hitting the Powerball jackpot stand at a daunting 1 in 292.2 million.
The record for the largest Powerball jackpot was set in 2022 when a ticket sold in California claimed an astonishing $2.04 billion prize. As the popularity of the game continues to soar, the anticipation surrounding future drawings only grows, drawing in hopeful participants nationwide.