Powerball jackpot hits $1.7 billion, its third-highest prize ever

"The Powerball jackpot has surged to a staggering $1.7 billion, making it the third-largest prize in the history of the multi-state lottery game, according to lottery officials. (The two higher awards were only set in 2022 and 2023.) No ticket matched all six numbers in Wednesday night's drawing, causing the jackpot, which previously stood at $1.4 billion, to roll over, likely to draw even more attention from players."

"The jackpot stands as only the third prize in Powerball ever to surpass $1.7 billion, trailing the all-time record of $2.04 billion won in California in November 2022 and the $1.765 billion jackpot captured in October 2023. If a single ticket matches all six numbers on Saturday, the winner can select either the full annuity-a payout over 30 years totaling $1.7 billion-or a lump sum estimated at approximately $770.3 million before taxes."

"The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are one in 292.2 million, according to official lottery data. For non-jackpot prizes, the overall odds are a more favorable one in 24.87. The drawing marks the 41st consecutive round without a grand-prize winner since the last jackpot was claimed on May 31, 2025, in California. As ticket sales swell, education and public programs in participating states stand to benefit from increased lottery revenues."

The Powerball jackpot has climbed to $1.7 billion, ranking as the third-largest Powerball prize. No ticket matched all six numbers in the most recent drawing, causing the previous $1.4 billion jackpot to roll over. The top prize trails the $2.04 billion won in November 2022 and the $1.765 billion won in October 2023. A single winning ticket may choose a 30-year annuity totaling $1.7 billion or a lump sum estimated at about $770.3 million before taxes; federal taxes can claim up to 37% and some states impose additional taxes while Florida, Texas, and California do not tax lottery prizes. Odds of winning the jackpot are one in 292.2 million and overall odds for any prize are about one in 24.87; the current streak without a grand-prize winner has reached 41 drawings, increasing revenues for education and public programs.

Read at Fortune