Powerball is back in the spotlight with a massive estimated $1.5 billion jackpot, officially ranking as the fifth-largest prize in Powerball history. The winning numbers drawn were 4, 5, 28, 52, and 69, with a Powerball of 20—numbers that could change someone’s life overnight.
What makes this drawing even more exciting is the long wait. This was the 45th Powerball drawing since the last jackpot win, marking the longest dry spell the game has ever seen. The previous jackpot—an eye-popping $1.787 billion—was won on September 6 by ticket holders in Missouri and Texas. Before Saturday, Wednesday night’s $1.14 billion draw also came up empty.
Here’s what players need to know if someone hit it big:
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Estimated cash option: $686.5 million
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Annuity option: One upfront payment, followed by 29 yearly payments that grow by 5% each year
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Odds of winning: 1 in 292.2 million
Powerball officials say the jackpot is set to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group chair and Iowa Lottery CEO, called it “the ultimate windfall.” As of now, it’s still unclear whether anyone matched all the numbers on Saturday night.
To win the grand prize, a ticket must match all five white balls plus the red Powerball. Even with long odds, jackpots have ballooned over the past decade, keeping players hopeful. After all, history proves it can happen—a single ticket in Altadena, California, won $2.04 billion in 2022, the largest lottery prize ever.
Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Tickets cost $2 and are sold in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game itself dates back to 1992, and it’s still making headlines more than three decades later.
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