The Powerball jackpot is well into the billion-dollar stratosphere, and following Wednesday’s results – no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – a world record jackpot is within reach.
The jackpot is currently estimated at $1.5 billion, with a cash option of $745.9 million, according to Powerball, ahead of the next drawing on Saturday, Nov. 5.
Should someone win Saturday’s jackpot, it’d go down as the second-largest in Powerball in history behind the world record set in 2016 when the Powerball jackpot was won at $1.586 billion by three ticket holders.
What’s next?:Powerball balloons to $1.5 billion without Wednesday jackpot winner
Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot had climbed to $1.2 billion but none of the tickets sold matched all six of the winning numbers drawn Monday. The winning numbers were 22, 11, 60, 2, 35, and the Powerball was 23. The Power Play was 2X.
Powerball tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Winners can receive their prize through an annual payment plan over 29 years, however, most people opt for the grand jackpot prize in cash.
Winning the lottery:Should you take the annual payments or lump sum?
A Mega Millions jackpot, separate from Powerball, surpassed the $1.5 billion mark at $1.537 billion in 2018, which ranks as the second largest ever.
Here’s a look at the top 10 highest Powerball jackpots of all-time:
1. $1.586 billion: Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN
2. $1.5 billion: Nov. 5, 2022
3. $768.4 million: March 27, 2019 – WI
4. $758.7 million: Aug. 23, 2017 – MA
5. $731.1 million: Jan. 20, 2021 – MD
6. $699.8 million: Oct. 4, 2021 – CA
7. $687.8 million: Oct. 27, 2018 – IA, NY
8. $632.6 million: Jan. 5, 2022 – CA, WI
9. $590.5 million: May 18, 2013 – FL
10. $587.5 million: Nov. 28, 2012 – AZ, MO
