US Powerball lottery jackpot reaches record $1.4bn

They say the increase is due to higher than anticipated sales across the nation. Even the estimated cash value of the jackpot – around $930 million – generates an expected value north of $3.50. A few hours before the drawing, the Texas Lottery reported that $5,838,152 in Powerball tickets were sold in a one-hour period.

While Pennsylvania has sold the most winning Powerball tickets – 16 – Florida has taken the most in prize money – $1.5 billion – among its 10 Powerball winners.

At the last draw on Saturday, 25 people matched the first five numbers – winning $1m each – and three others had paid a bonus netting them $2m each but no one claimed the then $950m jackpot.

New Jersey sold $39,9 million in Powerball tickets. between Thursday and Saturday. Lottery officials expect at least 80 percent of the 292.2 million number combinations will be purchased before Wednesday’s drawing.

The Powerball jackpot has rolled 19 times since the November 7 drawing.

For an additional $1, you can also pick a “Power Play” for lower-level winners, which can multiply your prize by an amount to be determined later.

Lottery officials say this history-making Powerball jackpot has skyrocketed sales statewide to $155.8 million for drawings leading up to and including Saturday’s record jackpot drawing.

USA Mega’s Powerball website reports over 18 million players won a combined total of approximately $159.1 million.

Keller @ Large: Do You Really Want To Win?

In the past, Canadians had to cross the border to buy a USA lotto ticket, the site said.

Forty-four US states take part in the Powerball along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Manitobans are crossing the US border to try their luck at winning more than a billion dollars, the world’s largest lottery jackpot.

Nationally, Powerball has produced 316 second-tier winners of $1 million or $2 million in the past year.