With no winner on Monday, Powerball’s jackpot has grown to $1.4 billion — the highest it’s been in more than a year.
Ahead of Wednesday evening’s drawing at 10:59 p.m. ET, the prize is now ranked as the fourth largest in the game’s history and the sixth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association that runs the lottery.
Here’s a look at the 10 biggest Powerball jackpots of all time and where the winning ticket was purchased:
$2.04 billion — Nov. 7, 2022 (California)$1.765 billion — Oct. 11, 2023 (California)$1.586 billion — Jan. 13, 2016 (California, Florida, Tennessee)$1.40 billion (estimated) — Sept. 3, 2025$1.326 billion — April 6, 2024 (Oregon)$1.08 billion — July 19, 2023 (California)$842.4 million — Jan. 1, 2024 (Michigan)$768.4 million — March 27, 2019 (Wisconsin)$758.7 million — Aug. 23, 2017 (Massachusetts)$754.6 million — Feb. 6, 2023 (Washington)
And here’s how Wednesday night’s drawing compares with the 10 biggest jackpots ever awarded:
$2.04 billion Powerball — Nov. 7, 2022 (California)$1.765 billion Powerball — Oct. 11, 2023 (California)$1.602 billion Mega Millions — Aug. 8, 2023 (Florida)$1.586 billion Powerball — Jan. 13, 2016 (California, Florida, Tennessee)$1.537 billion Mega Millions — Oct. 23, 2018 (South Carolina)$1.40 billion Powerball (estimated) — Sept. 3, 2025$1.348 billion Mega Millions — Jan. 13, 2023 (Maine)$1.337 billion Mega Millions — July 29, 2022 (Illinois)$1.326 billion Powerball — April 6, 2024 (Oregon)$1.269 billion Mega Millions — Dec. 27, 2024 (California)
If no ticket matches all six numbers in Wednesday’s Powerball draw, the jackpot will roll over and grow based on ticket sales. The next drawing would then offer a prize even larger than the current $1.4 billion, potentially setting a new record as the third biggest in Powerball history.
What to know if you win
If you’re lucky enough to win the jackpot prize, you’ll have a choice between the full $1.4 billion annuity, paid out over 30 years, or the lump-sum cash option of $634.3 million.
Winnings are taxed by the federal government and by most states, so the actual take-home will be less than the listed prize amounts.
Financial experts often recommend taking a few practical steps before rushing to claim a life-changing prize:
Secure the ticket. Sign the back of the ticket and keep it in a safe location, such as a home safe or bank deposit box. Some experts also suggest making a copy or taking a photo for your records.Keep it quiet. Avoid publicizing the win until after the claim is official. Announcing it too soon can invite scammers or unwanted attention.Assemble a team. A lawyer, financial advisor and tax professional can help with the complex decisions around claiming and managing such a large amount of money.Plan for the long term. A financial planner can help you decide whether the annuity or lump sum better suits your financial goals and tolerance for risk, as there are pros and cons to both options.
Powerball tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 292.2 million, though the odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9, according to the lottery.
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