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The game’s terrible odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots and ever-larger prizes.
WASHINGTON D.C., DC — A Powerball drawing will be held Saturday for what would be second highest lottery jackpot on record: an estimated $1.8 billion.
The prize ballooned after the lottery held more than 40 consecutive drawings without anyone matching all of the game’s six numbers. Whenever a drawing fails to get a winner, the lottery rolls over the winnings.
The game’s terrible odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots and ever-larger prizes. There are three drawings each week.
The largest jackpot on record, $2.04 billion, was drawn in 2022 and went to a California ticket buyer.
No one has won the grand prize since May 31.
The $1.8 billion jackpot is for a winner who opts to receive 30 payments over 29 years through an annuity. Winners almost always choose the game’s cash option, which for this drawing would be an estimated $826.4 million.
Powerball tickets cost $2, and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
When is the next Powerball drawing?
The next drawing is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, at 10:59 p.m. ET. Drawings are held three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets, which cost $2 per play, are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Largest U.S. jackpots winnings:
1. $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022. The winning ticket was sold at a Los Angeles-area gas station.
2. $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023. The winning ticket was sold at a liquor store in a tiny California mountain town.
3. $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023. The winning ticket was sold at a supermarket in Neptune Beach, Florida.
4. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016. The winning tickets were sold at a Los Angeles-area convenience store, a Florida supermarket and a Tennessee grocery store.
5. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018. The winning ticket was sold at a South Carolina convenience store.
6. $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023. The winning ticket was sold at a Maine gas station.
7. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022. The winning ticket was sold at a Chicago-area gas station.
8. $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024. The winning ticket was sold at an Oregon convenience store.
9. $1.269 billion, Mega Millions, Dec. 27, 2024. The winning ticket was sold at a gas station in Northern California.
10. $1.13 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, 2024. The winning ticket was sold at a liquor store in New Jersey
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