The Powerball jackpot has captured the nation’s attention once again, soaring to a massive $535 million ahead of Saturday night’s drawing. With no winner on Wednesday, the prize pool continues growing, fueling hopes and dreams of life-changing riches across the country.
Current Jackpot Drives Ticket Sales
As the jackpot figure increased leading up to Saturday’s drawing, ticket sales surged as more people tried their luck.
“There were no big winners drawn Wednesday night, so the jackpot raised to $500 million initially then continued increasing based on game sales to reach the estimated $535 million,” said one lottery official.
Lines were reported at retailers as enthusiastic players grabbed their tickets. Saturday’s enormous prize drove the highest ticket demand seen in months.
Several states saw significant localized excitement over wins, even if not the jackpot:
- A $2 million winning ticket was sold at a Circle K in Maumelle, Arkansas leading to celebrations there
- Massachusetts saw 1 $100k and 2 $50k winning tickets
- 1 $50k ticket sold in Pennsylvania
- A $2 million ticket sold in Austin, Texas
But the astronomical grand prize continues capturing the most attention and driving dreams.
Changes Made to Powerball Game
In August 2022, changes were made to the Powerball game, altering the number pool and improving the odds for even more massive jackpots.
“The jackpots are likely to get bigger faster and have a better chance of breaking records,” said one state lottery official at the time.
That prediction has played out, with prizes reaching higher points than seen in years. While the odds of winning remain incredibly long at 1 in 292 million, that hasn’t dampened enthusiasm.
Where Jackpot Winnings Would Rank
A look at the largest US lottery jackpots shows where the current $535 million Powerball prize would rank:
| Rank | Year | Game | Amount | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016 | Powerball | $1.586B | CA, FL, TN winners |
| 2 | 2018 | Mega Millions | $1.537B | SC winner |
| 3 | 2022 | Powerball | $2.04B | CA winner |
| 4 | 2021 | Powerball | $731.1M | MD winner |
| 5 | 2022 | Powerball | $699.8M | CA winner |
| 6 | 2021 | Powerball | $699.8M | CA winner |
| 7 | 2022 | Powerball | $632.6M | CA, WI winners |
| 8 | 2022 | Powerball | $586M | CA winner |
| 9 | 2022 | Powerball | $551.8M | CA winner |
| 10 | 2022 | Powerball | $516M | PA winner |
If won Saturday, the $535 million jackpot would rank as the 11th largest lottery prize in US history. And with brisk sales ahead of the drawing, it could potentially climb higher before the winning numbers are drawn.
What Happens if There’s No Winner Again
If no ticket matches all 6 numbers on Saturday, the Powerball jackpot will continue increasing. The next drawing would be held on Monday night, with the prize likely reaching $550 million or more.
Powerball is played in 45 states plus Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Tickets cost $2 each.
Drawings are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. ET. Five white balls are drawn from a set of 69 balls. One red Powerball is drawn from a set of 26 red balls.
The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 292 million. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9. Prizes start at $4 for matching just the Powerball.
How to Play
To play Powerball:
- Select 5 numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls
- Select 1 number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball
- Or select “Quick Pick” for randomly assigned numbers
Match all 6 numbers to win the jackpot. Lesser prizes are won for matching some numbers.
What Would You Do with $535 Million?
As players purchase their tickets, many are dreaming about the possibilities if they won the nearly $550 million prize. Luxury houses, cars and vacations are commonly imagined, as are gifts for loved ones and donations to charity. Some visualize a carefree life of relaxation, while others picture continuing work they love while being able to indulge any desires.
With a lump sum cash value of over $276 million, the jackpot would provide immense financial freedom to pursue dreams big and small. Saturday night will reveal if anyone beats the long odds to turn those dreams into reality with a multimillion dollar prize.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
