The Powerball jackpot hit a surprising US$1.73 billion after no one matched the game´s six numbers on October 9 to take home the giant prize.
The winning numbers announced were: 16, 34, 46, 55, 67 and the Powerball was 14.
Since the last winner on July 19, there has been no winner for 35 consecutive drawings. That streak trails the record of 41 draws set in 2021 and 2022.
The new amount ranks second on the list of highest jackpot amounts in the US. It is followed closely by US$1.586 billion Powerball won on Jan. 13, 2016 from three tickets in California, Florida, Tennessee.
A single winner in Wednesday's drawing would have a choice between a lump sum payment of roughly US$756.6 million before taxes, or an annuity option consisting of an immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments.
The odds of winning the jackpot are one in 292.2 million.
Powerball tickets are US$2 each. They are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings take place Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m. Eastern.
Billion-dollar lottery jackpots have become more common in recent years as both Powerball and Mega Millions have raised ticket prices and lowered the odds of winning the jackpot. According to the Washington Post, in 2015 Powerball lowered the odds of winning from 1 in 175.2 million, to where it currently stands at 1 in 292.2 million.
Source: GMB
