As the final Powerball drawing of April concluded, lottery enthusiasts were left in anticipation, yet again, as the jackpot soared to $178 million due to the absence of a winner. Earlier in the month, a life-changing $1.3 billion jackpot had been distributed amongst three players from Oregon. The delightful news for one of the winners, who stepped forward on Monday, was tinted with poignancy as he shared his ongoing battle with cancer and recounted how he had been invoking divine intervention for a miracle.
Monday’s drawing, which lacked a victor, propelled the jackpot to its current gargantuan sum estimated at $178 million, with a cash option of $81.3 million. The drawing took place just after 11 p.m. ET, and participants eagerly eyed the results to see if fortune favored them this time.
The select combination that remained unmatched was as follows: the white ball numbers being 11, 38, 47, 67, and 69, complemented by the red Powerball number 14, with the Power Play multiplier set at 2X. Despite the high stakes, not only was the grand prize left untouched, but there were also no secondary prize winners of the $2 million Match 5 + Power Play or the $1 million Match 5 tier.
The complete registry of past Powerball winners can be accessed by visiting the official lottery website, a resource for those curious about the history of these high-stakes drawings.
Prospective participants dreaming of hitting the jackpot must visit their local retailer – a grocery store, gas station, or convenience store – to purchase their $2 Powerball tickets. Some states also offer the modern convenience of online purchases. Playing the game requires selecting five white ball numbers between 1 and 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26.
There is an optional Power Play feature, which for an additional $1, can greatly increase the winnings on all non-jackpot prizes. Winning amounts can potentially be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, quintupled, or even multiplied by ten, except in certain prize categories.
For those who prefer to leave their luck entirely to chance, a “Quick Pick” is available, where a computer generates a randomized selection of numbers for the player’s Powerball ticket.
The thrill of the Powerball draws is sustained three times a week, with drawings taking place on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. Absence of a jackpot winner in any of these draws serves only to heighten the reward for subsequent draws as the purse swells by millions.
While the traditional method of ticket purchase is in person at participating vendors, including gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores, and even some airport terminals, digital options have made the process even simpler. Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, offers an online ticket purchasing service in select states and territories across the U.S. such as Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, and many more. Utilizing the Jackpocket app, players can choose their game, pick their numbers, order tickets, and claim their winnings all from the convenience of their phone or home computer.
It’s important to note that binge gambling should be practiced responsibly. Help services and information about responsible gambling are readily available, and Jackpocket sets clear age requirements for using their service, with 18 being the standard minimum age, except in Arizona where one must be 21+, and Nebraska where the minimum age is 19+.
In summary, although the Powerball jackpot evaded capture in the latest drawing, the excitement it generates only continues to grow. With the jackpot now sitting at a staggering $178 million, the next draw holds the promise of potentially life-changing riches for a lucky winner. The quest for that elusive winning ticket continues, with hopeful players around the nation eagerly awaiting the next opportunity to strike gold.
