Powerball Grows to Record $600 Million

18 May, 2013

The Powerball jackpot being drawn on Saturday night could be even higher than the record $600 million being advertised, pushing it near or above the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history, a Texas Lottery official said on Saturday.

“Oftentimes, the advertised amount is lower than what the actual jackpot ends up being,” said Kelly Cripe, a spokeswoman for the Texas Lottery. “It’s entirely possible this $600 million jackpot will end up being a bigger jackpot.”

The previous record Powerball in November 2012 was advertised at $550 million, she said, but ended up being $587.5 million when the winning numbers were drawn, thanks to last-minute sales.

Lottery officials in 43 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands are waiting for an update at around 1 p.m. EDT from Powerball officials to determine whether the advertised amount will be pushed past $656 million – the largest jackpot in U.S. history, set by the Mega Millions jackpot in March 2012.

That prize was split between winners in Maryland, Kansas and Illinois.

As of Saturday morning, the odds of winning the Powerball were one in 175 million, Cripe said.

If Saturday night’s drawing yields no winner, all records will be shattered as the jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing would go to $925 million.

The popular lottery has not had a winner in two months. The $2 tickets allow players pick five numbers from 1 to 59, and a Powerball number from 1 to 35.

Reuters

Mentioned In This Post: