The Powerball jackpot remained unclaimed on Saturday, propelling the prize to a staggering $1.1 billion for the upcoming draw on Monday, which happens to coincide with Labor Day in the United States. This marks the fifth largest jackpot in the history of the popular lottery, capturing the attention of millions across the nation.
If a lucky ticket holder chooses the cash option, they could walk away with an estimated $498.4 million. Alternatively, opting for the annuity would mean receiving 30 annual payments over three decades, each increasing by 5% annually, as highlighted in the press release from Powerball's official website.
"The nation has been eagerly anticipating a billion-dollar prize opportunity, and what better occasion than Labor Day for a $1.1 billion Powerball drawing," stated Matt Strawn, Chairman of the Powerball Product Group and CEO of the Iowa Lottery.
Saturday's winning numbers were 3, 18, 22, 27, 33, with a Powerball of 17 and a Power Play multiplier of 3. Although the jackpot remained elusive, nine tickets matched five white numbers to win $1 million each, sold in locations including California (4), Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Additionally, three players doubled their prize to $2 million by selecting the Power Play option, with the winning tickets sold in Colorado, Indiana, and New Hampshire. Furthermore, there were 115 tickets winning $50,000 each and 27 winning $150,000.
Monday’s draw will be the 40th consecutive without a jackpot winner since the last win in California on May 31. The record for the longest streak is 42 draws, set in April 2024, when the jackpot rose to $1.326 billion in Oregon.
Powerball is played in 45 U.S. states, as well as Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with each ticket costing $2. Since its inception in 1992, the game has generated over $36 billion for social programs in the country. Drawings are broadcast live from the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time, and can also be viewed online.
The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9, while the odds of hitting the jackpot stand at 1 in 292.2 million. The recent surge in the Powerball jackpot reflects a notable trend in recent weeks, with record-breaking accumulations in the American lottery. When the prize pot hit $700 million, it was already deemed the highest of the year and among the largest in the lottery's history.
This figure was reached after an extended streak without a jackpot winner since May, driving a more than 40% increase in ticket sales. The absence of jackpot winners in successive drawings continued to swell the prize pool. Shortly thereafter, the jackpot climbed to $750 million, situating it among the top ten largest in Powerball history. Despite the mounting anticipation, no player managed to match all six numbers, though numerous secondary prizes were awarded across several states, maintaining the excitement among participants.
The prize amount continued to grow, eventually ranking among the highest jackpots recorded when Powerball reached $950 million. At that point, it stood as the sixth largest prize in its history, sparking a nationwide frenzy with long lines to purchase tickets and mounting anticipation ahead of the next draw.
Understanding the Powerball Phenomenon
How does the Powerball jackpot increase?
The Powerball jackpot increases when there is no winner for the jackpot prize in a particular draw. The prize money from ticket sales rolls over to the next draw, causing the jackpot to grow.
What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are approximately 1 in 292.2 million. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9.