The Powerball jackpot rose yet again to an estimated US$1 billion (NZ$1.57 billion) after no winning ticket was sold for the latest drawing.
No ticket for today’s drawing matched the white balls 5, 8, 9, 17, 41 and red Powerball 2. The jackpot was estimated at US$900 million (NZ$1.4 billion).
The new jackpot for Thursday’s drawing would be the third highest in US history and will keep growing until someone wins. Ticket buyers have a chance at US$1 billion (NZ$1.57 billion) paid out in yearly increments or a US$516.8 million (NZ$815.5 million) one-time lump sum before taxes.
Three people won US$2 million (NZ$3.15 million) after matching all five numbers plus the Power Play, lottery officials said. The winning tickets were sold in Arkansas, Georgia and Texas.
Five people won US$1 million (NZ$1.57 million) after matching all five numbers. The winning tickets were sold in Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, New York and Pennsylvania.
The game’s abysmal odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to build big prizes that draw more players. The largest Powerball jackpot was US$2.04 billion (NZ$3.2 billion) Powerball last November.
Source : 1news