The Powerball jackpot is estimated at $1 billion, the sixth-largest prize in game history. Powerball costs $2 per ticket and is offered in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. No ticket has matched all six numbers since May 31, which allowed the jackpot to grow weekly and prompted officials to raise the estimate from $950 million. Winners can choose 30 annual payments or a lump sum of $453 million before taxes. The odds of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, while a rare shark bite carries even lower odds. Multi-state play enables very large jackpots, with top Powerball and Mega Millions prizes previously reaching $2.04 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively. Ticket sellers and players expressed hopes that a win could pay bills, help family and aid others, while acknowledging potential pitfalls.
As ticket sales climbed this week, game officials raised the estimated Saturday night jackpot to $1 billion from $950 million, before taxes. Payments would be spread over 30 years, or a winner can choose an immediate lump sum of $453 million, again before taxes. "We're bringing extra excitement to Labor Day weekend," said Matt Strawn, head of the Iowa Lottery and chair of Powerball.
The odds of matching all six numbers, of course, are daunting: 1 in 292.2 million. By comparison, the odds of getting a rare shark bite during a last summer dip in the ocean are much lower, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. Angela Schwartz, who sells tickets at City Market in downtown Detroit, said the message Friday was consistent: "Give me a lucky Powerball."
At a Fuel City in Dallas, Duran Hargest let the lottery machine spit out four tickets with random numbers. "It could be a blessing," he said of winning the jackpot. "It could also be a curse, depending on how you use it. I just wanted to make sure if I get it, you know, take care of my family and then probably help others that probably need it, too."
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