The anticipation continues to mount as the Powerball jackpot has escalated to an impressive $120 million for the upcoming drawing this Saturday, following the absence of any big winners in Wednesday night’s drawing. This notable increase marks a sustained rise in the jackpot since a fortunate Florida resident snagged an extraordinary $215 million prize on May 6.
For those daring enough to dream big, the potential for a substantial windfall is on the horizon. Should a lucky individual successfully match all the numbers in Saturday’s drawing, they could opt to collect $56.4 million upfront in a lump-sum payment post-taxes—an amount that has many hopeful participants eagerly purchasing their tickets.
The suspense surrounding the Wednesday, May 22 drawing culminated just after 11 p.m. ET when the numbers were selected. The winning numbers announced were 5, 16, 18, 26, and 67, with the red Powerball being 4 and the Power Play multiplier set at 3X. Despite the excitement, there were no jackpot winners or Match 5 + Power Play $2 million winners. However, a participant in California did manage to clinch a Match 5 category prize worth a cool $1 million.
Sponsorship for the winning lottery numbers comes courtesy of Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Their partnership adds a technological edge to the lottery-playing experience, ensuring broader accessibility and convenience for players across the nation.
Reflecting on the absence of a jackpot winner this past Wednesday, it’s clear the allure of the Powerball persists. A consistent rise in the prize total occurs whenever there’s no winner, creating an ever-growing potential for a massive payout. It’s this escalating jackpot that continues to draw millions of Americans to convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores, where they purchase their shot at life-changing wealth.
Purchasing a Powerball ticket is a relatively straightforward affair. For just $2, you can secure your chance at winning by selecting six numbers to mark on your ticket. Five of these numbers accompany the white balls, which range from 1 to 69, while the red Powerball houses a single number between 1 and 26. For those seeking an edge, an additional $1 will add the “Power Play” option. This feature can significantly boost winnings for all non-jackpot prizes, multiplying them by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or even 10X.
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There are also quick and automated options for selecting your numbers. Many players opt to ask a cashier for a “Quick Pick,” whereby the cashier generates random numbers via a computer, providing an instant and hassle-free ticket. This user-friendly method is popular among those who enjoy leaving their fortunes up to chance.
Powerball drawings occur three times a week—on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. The escalation of the jackpot only adds to the excitement and frenzy around each draw, with every non-winning result meaning an increase in the next prize amount by several million dollars.
Aside from physical locations, tickets can also be bought online through platforms such as Jackpocket, which is accessible in various U.S. states and territories. These 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 provides a seamless digital interface allowing users to pick their lottery game and numbers, place orders, view their tickets, and even collect winnings—all from the convenience of a phone or home computer.
As the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, Jackpocket facilitates greater participation in the Powerball, thereby broadening the pool of dreamers vying for the big prize. USA TODAY’s partnership with Jackpocket also includes potential revenue generation through audience referrals without any affiliation to state lotteries, ensuring transparency and integrity in the process. Legal age requirements vary, with many states requiring players to be 18+, 21+ in Arizona, and 19+ in Nebraska. If gambling becomes problematic, numerous hotlines and resources are available to help, ensuring responsible participation.
With the jackpot hitting the $120 million mark, the buzz around the Powerball is undeniable. For those eager to stake their claim on a part of this monumental sum, the opportunity is as simple as picking up a ticket and hoping that fortune favors their selected numbers.
As the race towards Saturday night’s drawing heats up, one can only imagine the transformative potential of winning such a grand prize. Until then, millions across America will watch in anticipation, dreaming of their numbers being drawn and ushering in a new era of financial abundance.
