After Monday’s drawing, where the winning numbers were 12, 26, 27, 43, 47, and a Powerball of 5, no one secured all six numbers, leading to a staggering $1.2 billion estimated Powerball jackpot increase.
While the jackpot remained unclaimed, two lucky tickets in Delaware and Michigan managed to match the first five numbers, securing a $1 million prize each. Additionally, two more tickets in New York and South Carolina matched the initial five numbers and were accompanied by the Power Play bonus, doubling their winnings to $2 million each.
Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot is the third-largest in history, surpassing the $1.08 billion prize from July 2023 and trailing only the $1.586 billion shared by three winners in 2016.
In November 2022, the largest prize in Powerball jackpot history, totaling $2.04 billion, was won with tickets sold in California.
Powerball draws occur three times a week – on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights at 10:59 p.m. ET in Tallahassee, Florida. Tickets cost $2, with an optional $1 Power Play. Winning odds for the jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338. Jackpot winners can choose a lump sum payment, estimated at $551.7 million before taxes for a Wednesday draw.