The POWERBALL jackpot® has rolled 18 times, since the November 7 drawing, resulting in the game’s and the country’s largest jackpot ever – an estimated $800 million for Saturday night’s drawing. (Florida Lottery image)
The POWERBALL jackpot® has rolled 18 times, since the November 7 drawing, resulting in the game’s and the country’s largest jackpot ever – an estimated $800 million for Saturday night’s drawing.
Even with no jackpot winner in last night’s drawing, Florida POWERBALL players won big, with more than 591,000 winning tickets totaling more than $6.5 million in prizes.
This included two $1 million winners in Fort Lauderdale and Dunedin. During this jackpot series, more than 1.7 million Florida POWERBALL winners have won more than $17 million in prizes.
Jackpot prizes are paid in 30 annual installments or as a one-time, lump-sum payment.
Jackpot prizes must be claimed within 60 days after the draw to receive the cash option of an estimated $496 million. Winners have 180 days from the applicable drawing to claim their prize.
Players who want the chance to become Florida’s eleventh POWERBALL jackpot winner can purchase their tickets at any of the more than 13,000 Lottery retailers across the state.
Tom Delacenserie
“The excitement is growing tremendously statewide and across the nation for this historic jackpot on Saturday night,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Tom Delacenserie.
“This POWERBALL jackpot is not only a life-changing opportunity for any person, but also it has allowed the Lottery to generate over $40 million in revenue for Florida students and schools.”
Although POWERBALL tickets must be purchased by 10 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday to be eligible for this drawing, players are encouraged to purchase early to avoid long lines.
Peak sales in Florida for last night’s POWERBALL drawing occurred between 6–7 p.m. when tickets were selling at a rate of more than 25,000 tickets per minute.
With an even bigger jackpot up for grabs, that number is expected to rise the closer it gets to Saturday drawing.
