The Powerball jackpot has nearly reached historic levels.
After no one won Wednesday night’s drawing, the jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing will be an estimated $875 million, making it the third-highest Powerball jackpot ever (see charts below).
It is also the seventh-highest jackpot in US history, trailing only the six Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots that have surpassed a billion dollars.
Based on actual sales, the jackpot could expand. For Saturday’s drawing, the cash option is $441.9 million.
The jackpot was most recently won on April 19, when a lottery player in Ohio won $252.6 million.
Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot is also not bad. According to the Mega Millions website, it will be worth around $560 million, with a cash option of $281.1 million. It is the twentieth-largest lottery jackpot in US history.
“We’re heading into the weekend with two huge back-to-back jackpots – the Mega Millions drawing on Friday night, followed by the Powerball drawing on Saturday night,” said Drew Svitko, Powerball Product Group Chair and Pennsylvania Lottery Director. “In the last week, seven Powerball players have won at least $1 million, and five million other players have won other cash prizes.” Please remember to play responsibly. It only takes one ticket to win.”
How do I play Powerball?
The cost of a ticket is $2, but you can add the Power Play for $1 to raise your possible prize up to five times the original value (save for the jackpot and Match 5). When the prize is less than $150 million, a 10x Power Play option is available.
Each player chooses five numbers between 1 and 69 for the white balls and one number between 1 and 26 for the red Powerball. You can, however, request that the lottery machine generate a quick select ticket with random numbers for you.
Prizes range from $4 if you match the Powerball to $1 million if you match all five white balls (except in California) to the jackpot if you match all six balls. On the Powerball website, you may view all of the prize payouts.
What time is Powerball drawing?
Powerball drawings are done three times a week at 10:59 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. In 2021, Monday drawings were added.
These are the states with the highest number of Powerball jackpot winners.
How late can you buy Powerball tickets?
The Powerball ticket purchase deadline varies by state, so don’t wait until the last minute. The deadline in New Jersey is 9:59 p.m. on the day of the drawing, whereas the deadline in New York is 10 p.m.
How can I get Powerball tickets?
The game is available in 45 states, as well as Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
Lottery tickets are sold at a variety of grocery stores, gas stations and convenience stores. Powerball tickets can be purchased online in several areas, but beware of fake websites. Before purchasing tickets online, check with your state lottery for further information on online sales.
You don’t have to be a US citizen or a resident of the state where you buy your ticket.
How can I view the Powerball drawing?
On Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET, the Powerball drawing is livestreamed on the lottery website. The drawing can be viewed by clicking here.
The drawing may also be aired on a local television station in your area.
Can I win the jackpot while remaining anonymous?
You can win the lotto anonymously in several states, such as New Jersey. That wasn’t always the case, but thanks to a law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy, winners can now remain anonymous.
In other states, the winner’s name and hometown are made public. For additional information, contact your state lottery.
What was the largest Powerball jackpot ever?
Here are the Top 10 jackpots since the Powerball lottery began in 1992:
- $2.04 billion, Nov. 7, 2022: Won in California
- $1.586 billion, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
- $875 million, July 12, 2023:
- $768.4 million, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin
- $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts
- $754.6 million, Feb. 6, 2023: Won in Washington
- $730 million, Jan. 20, 2021: Won in Maryland
- $699.8 million, Oct. 4, 2021: Won in California
- $687.8 million, Oct. 27, 2018: Two winners in Iowa, New York
- $632.6 million, Jan. 5, 2022: Two winner in California, Wisconsin
What was the greatest US lottery jackpot ever?
The following are the top jackpots won in the United States in the Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries:
- $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: California
- $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
- $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
- $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2022: Won in Maine
- $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: Illinois
- $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
- $875 million, Powerball, July 10, 2023:
- $768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin
- $758.7 million, Powerball, Aug. 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts
- $754.6 million, Powerball: Feb. 6, 2023: Won in Washington
- $730 million,, Powerball, Jan. 20, 2021: Won in Maryland
- $699.8 million, Powerball, Oct. 4, 2021: Won in California
- $687.8 million, Powerball, Oct. 27, 2018: Two winners in Iowa, New York
- $656 million, Mega Millions, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- $648 million, Mega Millions, Dec. 17, 2013: Two winners in California, Georgia
- $632.6 million, Powerball, Jan. 5, 2022: Two winner in California, Wisconsin
- $590.5 million, Powerball, May 18, 2013: Won in Florida
- $587.5 million, Powerball, Nov. 28, 2012: Two winner in Arizona, Missouri
- $564.1 million, Powerball, Feb. 11, 2015: Three winners in North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- $560 million, Mega Millions, July 14, 2023: