The excitement is building among lottery players across the nation as the Powerball jackpot has soared to an estimated $131 million for the upcoming Monday night draw. This surge in the jackpot comes after Saturday’s draw ended without a big winner, leaving the grand prize to continue ballooning.
Had there been a jackpot winner in the Saturday drawing, which stood at an impressive $121 million, they would have walked away with approximately $56.7 million if they chose the lump-sum payment option after taxes, according to the lottery officials. The anticipation keeps growing, as many are eager to see if the lucky winner will emerge in the next draw.
The winning numbers for the Saturday, May 25 Powerball draw were selected just after 11 p.m. ET. They were 6, 33, 35, 36, and 64, with a Powerball of 24 and a Power Play multiplier of 3X. Despite no one claiming the massive jackpot, Texan lottery enthusiasts had something to celebrate, with one player winning $1 million by matching all five white ball numbers in the Match 5 category.
The Powerball offers significant winnings for relatively low entry fees, with each ticket costing just $2. Players must venture to their local convenience stores, gas stations, or grocery stores to purchase tickets—though, in selected states, online purchasing is also an option. To participate, players need to pick six numbers: five white numbers ranging from 1 to 69, and one red Powerball number between 1 and 26.
For those looking to increase their chances of walking away with a prize, the “Power Play” option is available for an additional $1 per ticket. This add-on feature can multiply winnings for non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times, depending on the multiplier drawn.
For players who prefer not to select their own numbers, the “Quick Pick” option allows cashiers to generate a computer-selected set of numbers for them.
Weekly Powerball drawings are conducted on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings. If no winner takes the jackpot home, the prize pool continues to grow, garnering even more excitement and anticipation with each passing draw.
The accessibility of Powerball tickets has expanded over the years.
. Tickets are readily available at various retail locations like gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airports have also joined in, offering tickets to travelers. Additionally, in several U.S. states and territories, players can purchase tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. States and territories served by Jackpocket include Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.
The Jackpocket app streamlines the entire lottery experience, enabling users to choose their game and numbers, place orders, track tickets, and collect winnings—all from their smartphones or home computers. Powerball players can benefit from the convenience of this digital platform, which supports the increasing trend of online transactions and remote gaming.
Jackpocket, acting as the official digital lottery courier for the USA TODAY Network, offers a seamless service to lottery enthusiasts. Gannett, the parent company, may earn revenue from referrals to Jackpocket’s services. Users must be 18 or older to participate, although specific age restrictions vary by state (21+ in Arizona and 19+ in Nebraska).
For those dealing with gambling issues, various helplines are available to offer support. In New York, for example, players can call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369); in Massachusetts, the contact is 1-800-327-5050; Oregon residents can reach out to 1-877-MYLIMIT, and Puerto Rico offers help through 1-800-981-0023. For all other areas, players can contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
The Powerball fever is real and steadily increasing as the jackpot continues to skyrocket. Stay tuned, and keep an eye on your numbers. Will Monday night’s drawing change someone’s life forever? Only time will tell.
