Dec. 16 (UPI) — The Powerball jackpot soared to an estimated $1.25 billion for next drawing now offering players a $572.1 million cash option and a holiday shot at winning the big prize, the multi-state lottery association said Tuesday.
Wednesday’s jackpot will be the second-largest Powerball prize this year. It marks only the second time in Powerball history it generated back-to-back billion-dollar payloads.
“Powerball has only seen back-to-back to billion-dollar jackpots twice, and this one has arrived just in time for the holidays,” according to Matt Strawn, Iowa Lottery CEO and Powerball’s product group chair.
On Monday, the jackpot rolled after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn: white balls 23, 35, 59, 63, 68 and red Powerball 2.
U.S. lottery officials reminded players to check tickets carefully to see if they have won any cash prizes.
Two tickets — one each in Arizona and California — matched all five white balls to win $1 million. The drawing also yielded 43 $50,000 winners and 14 $200,000 winners.
Wednesday marked the 44th drawing in the current Powerball run which was a record for the longest jackpot streak.
The last jackpot hit on Sept. 6 when winning tickets in Missouri and Texas shared a $1.787 billion payout.
Wednesday’s jackpot winner can pick between an annuity worth an estimated $1.25 billion or lump-sum payment of about $572.1 million before taxes.
Powerball, meanwhile, is available in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
But the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, according to Powerball.
Powerball drawings take place live from the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. EDT and can also be livestreamed on Powerball.com.
Strawn from the Iowa Lottery reiterated his excitement seeing the jackpot climb to its new level but advised the public to “please remember to play responsibly.”
“A single $2 ticket gives you a chance to win, while also supporting good causes in your community,” he added.