In a significant turn of events for lottery enthusiasts, two Powerball players from Missouri and Texas matched all six numbers in Saturday’s draw, leading to a record-breaking split of an estimated $1.787 billion jackpot. The winning combination consisted of the numbers 11, 23, 44, 61, and 62, along with a red Powerball of 17, as reported by The Associated Press.
This monumental win not only ends a lengthy 42-drawing streak without a jackpot winner but also ranks as the second-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. Players who hold the winning tickets now face the choice between a 30-year annuity or a one-time lump sum payment, both options being subject to taxes.
The tremendous growth in the jackpot has captured nationwide attention and resulted in millions of smaller wins across the country, emphasizing the widespread excitement generated by the event. The final ticket sales pushed the jackpot estimate to $1.787 billion, while the advertised figure had previously suggested it would reach approximately $1.8 billion.
Significantly, the prize will be shared equally between the two winners, who each can opt for an annuitized share of $893.5 million or a one-time lump sum payment of $410.3 million before taxes. Had a single individual claimed the entire amount, the cash option would have been roughly $826 to $827 million, also pre-tax.
The odds for winning any prize in the Powerball game stand at 1 in 24.9, while the likelihood of hitting the jackpot is a staggering 1 in 292.2 million. Powerball tickets are priced at $2 each and are available for purchase in 45 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Since its inception in 1992, the Powerball game has generated over $36 billion in funds for various good causes supported by U.S. lotteries, with more than half of all proceeds from ticket sales remaining in the jurisdiction where the tickets were sold.
The latest jackpot now joins the ranks of the top 10 Powerball jackpots in history, with the highest ever at $2.04 billion from a draw on November 7, 2022, in California. Following that, the current jackpot from Missouri and Texas sits as the second largest, exceeding previous substantial winnings, including the $1.765 billion prize claimed in California in October 2023.
Powerball Product Group chair Matt Strawn expressed his congratulations to the winners and the respective state lotteries, highlighting the dual impact of the lottery: providing players with a chance at life-changing sums while concurrently contributing to vital public programs and services.
In terms of next steps for the new winners, they will have a varying timeframe to claim their prizes based on the state where the tickets were purchased; this period can range from several months to a year. Following this historic win, the Powerball jackpot will reset to $20 million for the next scheduled drawing, encouraging players to keep their eyes on future opportunities.
As a reminder, lottery officials are advising players to thoroughly check their tickets, as cash prizes are also awarded for matching the red Powerball or any of the winning numbers.
