Powerball Jackpot Soars To $1.6 Billion

The Powerball jackpot has soared to $1.6 billion for Monday’s drawing after no one matched all six numbers Saturday night.
The prize marks the fourth-largest in Powerball history. The massive jackpot comes just as Americans prepare for Christmas week, offering a life-changing windfall to anyone fortunate enough to beat the 1-in-292.2 million odds.
Saturday’s drawing produced no grand prize winner with the numbers 4, 5, 28, 52, 69, and red Powerball 20. Eight tickets across seven states matched all five white balls.
Winners of the five-number match emerged in California, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan (two tickets), New Hampshire, and Ohio. The drawing also produced 112 tickets worth $50,000 and 22 tickets worth $150,000.
Monday’s drawing represents the 46th in the current jackpot cycle, setting a record for Powerball. The last grand prize was claimed on September 6 when two tickets in Missouri and Texas split $1.787 billion.
Winners can choose between the $1.6 billion annuity paid over 30 years or a lump sum of $735.3 million before taxes. The annuity option includes annual payments that increase by 5% each year.
Powerball tickets cost $2 and are sold in 45 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9.
A New Jersey player won $500,000 in Saturday’s Double Play drawing by matching all five black balls. The secondary drawing offers additional chances to win with the same numbers.