Powerball Drawing Yields $850 Million Jackpot, Sixth Largest in Game's History

The Powerball drawing on Wednesday, August 27, featured an estimated jackpot of $850 million, with a cash option valued at $383.7 million. This marked the sixth largest jackpot in Powerball's history and the 13th largest in U.S. lottery history. The results from the August 27 drawing listed the winning numbers as 9, 12, 22, 41, 61, with the Powerball being 25, and the Powerplay multiplier set at 4x.

This drawing occurred amid a series of rollovers that extended after no ticket matched all numbers in the previous drawings. It's been 37 drawings since the jackpot was last claimed on May 31, when a California player took home $204.5 million. The anticipation surrounding this sum had heightened interest nationwide as players hoped to secure the massive prize.

In Powerball, participants pay $2 per ticket and select five numbers between 1 and 69, alongside one Powerball number between 1 and 26. The game also offers a Power Play option for an additional dollar, which can multiply non-jackpot prizes. Powerball tickets are accessible across 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Drawings for Powerball occur thrice weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. ET. The entry window for ticket purchases varies by jurisdiction, with cut-off times typically set an hour before the draw.

The payout structure enables the winner to choose between an annuity or a lump sum. The annuity structure includes one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments, each increasing by 5%. Alternatively, the one-time cash lump sum for Wednesday’s draw was worth $383.7 million before taxes.

The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are estimated at 1 in 292.2 million. Players matching five white balls without the Powerball could win $1 million—the odds of which stand at 1 in nearly 11.7 million.

The anticipation leading up to the draw was palpable, given the historical significance of such a large jackpot. Previous notable jackpots included a $2.04 billion prize in November 2022, making it the largest in Powerball history. Across the United States, this game continues to attract attention due to its potential to transform lives instantly through its immense payouts.