The Powerball jackpot is climbing at a remarkable pace following yet another drawing without a winner taking home the grand prize.
This past Monday, December 15, no ticket matched all six numbers required to claim the coveted top prize, pushing the total to $1.25 billion, with a cash option of $572.1 million.
The next opportunity for someone to become a millionaire will be on Wednesday, December 17, when the subsequent drawing takes place.
A Historic Streak of Massive Jackpots
The current jackpot is now the sixth largest in Powerball's history, and the second largest of the year, trailing only behind the colossal $1.787 billion prize won last September 6 by players in Missouri and Texas.
The winning numbers for the December 15 drawing were 23, 35, 59, 63, 68, with a Powerball of 2 and a Powerplay multiplier of 4x. While no one claimed the grand prize, two tickets sold in Arizona and California matched the five white balls, earning each a $1 million reward.
Additionally, the drawing resulted in 43 tickets winning $50,000 and 14 tickets winning $200,000, thanks to the Powerplay option, which allows for the multiplication of secondary winnings.
How to Play Powerball
To play Powerball, participants select five numbers from 1 to 59 and an additional number, the Powerball, from 1 to 26. Players can also opt for a random selection by the machine.
There are nine prize tiers, with the grand prize awarded for matching all five white balls and the red Powerball.
Prize Collection Options
Winners of the grand prize have two payout choices:
- Annuity: 30 graduated payments over 29 years.
- Lump-sum cash: A single payment of the current amount, which is $572.1 million in this case.
It's important to note that these amounts are before federal and state taxes.
Tickets cost $2 per play, with the option to increase to $3 with the Powerplay addition, which can multiply non-jackpot winnings by up to 10 times.
Powerball is available in 45 U.S. states, as well as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee.
Understanding Powerball and Its Impacts
What happens if no one wins the Powerball jackpot?
If no one wins the Powerball jackpot, the prize money rolls over to the next drawing, causing the jackpot amount to increase.
How does the Powerplay option work?
The Powerplay is an add-on feature that allows players to multiply their non-jackpot winnings by up to ten times, depending on the multiplier drawn.
Where can Powerball tickets be purchased?
Powerball tickets can be purchased in 45 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands at authorized retailers.