Powerball Jackpot Soars to $1.5 Billion, Fifth Largest Ever
Lottery players are buzzing as the Powerball jackpot swells to a staggering $1.5 billion, marking it as the fifth largest in Powerball history. This jackpot soared after there were no winners in Wednesday’s drawing, as reported by the North Carolina Education Lottery.
Powerball Jackpot Details
The current jackpot stands at $1.5 billion when paid out as an annuity. However, winners can opt for a cash payout of $689.3 million. This extraordinary sum now ranks as the seventh largest jackpot across all U.S. lotteries.
Odds and Recent Wins
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are approximately 1 in 292 million. Despite this, one fortunate player from North Carolina secured a $50,000 prize during Wednesday’s drawing. This player purchased a $3 Power Play ticket, successfully matching four white balls and the red Powerball. Thanks to the 4X multiplier, the prize increased to $200,000.
Record-Breaking Drawings
Saturday’s drawing will mark the 45th consecutive drawing in this jackpot run, setting a new record for the most consecutive drawings in a single jackpot cycle.
Comparison with Previous Jackpots
- Current Powerball Jackpot: $1.5 billion
- Previous Largest Jackpot in 2023: $1.7 billion (won September 6 in Missouri and Texas)
- Total Drawings in Current Cycle: 45
How to Play
Players interested in trying their luck can purchase Powerball tickets at various lottery retail locations. Additionally, tickets can be obtained through the Online Play option on the lottery’s website or via the North Carolina Lottery Official Mobile App. For those eager to see the winning numbers, they can tune into live broadcasts or watch online via WRAL.
