Powerball jackpot hits $500M as ticket sales soar

The largest lottery jackpot to date was won in three states in March 2012, when the Mega Millions drawing reached a whopping $656 million.

The estimated Powerball jackpot has climbed over $200 million in the last ten days, and is the largest since it climbed to $564 million last February.

There is good news, bad news when it comes to tonight’s $500 million Powerball jackpot drawing. The jackpot was the sixth highest amount it has ever been in North America, as well as the highest it has been in nearly a year.

Millions of Americans are rushing out to purchase Powerball tickets as Wednesday night’s jackpot has officially topped $500 million.

And this shop in Schuylkill County is already lucky; last weekend someone won $1 million after buying a ticket from the place. A “Power Play” option that multiplies non-jackpot prizes by up to five times may be added to any Powerball play for $1.

The payout has an estimated cash value of more than $300 million, before taxes, according to the Powerball website. “People been coming in buying their lottery ticket”.

Powerball tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Peuto Rico.

The chance at winning $500 million is bringing people out in droves.

“They probably won’t get another one for another million years, but you never know!” said Michael Bernotas of Brandonville. “Got to just not let them aggravate you”.

The $1 million prizes are paid immediately to the winners, minus the taxes.

If no one wins tonight, the jackpot will move closer to one billion dollars for the next drawing on Saturday night.