Better luck next time: Powerball climbs to $1.5 billion
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(NEXSTAR) – With no jackpot winner in the latest Powerball drawing on Wednesday night, the grand prize has soared to an estimated $1.5 billion.

However, there were significant wins in other states. Arizona and Massachusetts each saw a $2 million winner, while Connecticut, New York (with three winners), Pennsylvania, and Tennessee celebrated $1 million winners.

Wednesday’s lucky numbers were 25, 66, 33, 53, and 62, with a Powerball of 17. For those who opted for the Power Play, the multiplier was 4x.

This massive jackpot now ranks as the 7th-largest in the history of both Powerball and Mega Millions.

  1. $2.04 billion: Nov. 7, 2022; California (Powerball)
  2. $1.787 billion: Sept. 6, 2025; Missouri, Texas (Powerball)
  3. $1.765 billion: Oct. 11, 2023; California (Powerball)
  4. $1.602 billion: Aug. 8, 2023; Florida (Mega Millions)
  5. $1.586 billion: Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida, Tennessee (Powerball)
  6. $1.537 billion: Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina (Mega Millions)
  7. Est. $1.5 billion: Current (Powerball
  8. $1.348 billion: Jan. 13, 2023; Maine (Mega Millions)
  9. $1.337 billion: July 29, 2022; Illinois (Mega Millions)
  10. $1.326 billion: April 6, 2024; Oregon (Powerball)
  11. $1.269 billion: Dec. 27, 2024; California (Mega Millions)

The odds of hitting the Powerball jackpot stand at a staggering 1 in 292.2 million. If you manage to defy those odds and win, experts advise taking two immediate actions: sign the reverse side of your ticket to secure your claim and keep your newfound fortune under wraps for as long as you can.

You won’t be able to do that forever, depending on where you live, but it can help avoid conversations with friends, family, and people you hardly know who may be looking for a cut of the pot. Instead, experts suggest you build a team of people you can tell, like a financial advisor, a tax advisor, and a lawyer.

As long as you matched at least the red Powerball, your ticket is worth some money. Not including the grand prize, there are eight ways to win while playing Powerball.

Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. The lottery game is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets are $2 each, with the Power Play option available in participating states for $1 more.

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