UPDATE: 11-28-12, 3:45 p.m.
Georgia Lottery officials announced today that strong sales have pushed Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot from $500 million to $550 million.
The current jackpot is the largest in the game’s history.
Original Article
Who wants to be a $500 millionaire?
The jackpot for Wednesday’s Powerball drawing is estimated at $500 million, a record-breaking figure for the multi-state lottery game, according to the Georgia Lottery.
“The Powerball jackpot has soared to a record amount, which is exciting for players and important for the educational programs we fund,” said Georgia Lottery Corporation President and CEO Debbie D. Alford in a press release.
“Georgia Lottery players have a chance to win big, and the students of Georgia certainly win big with every ticket purchased.”
Wednesday’s jackpot has grown to a record pot because no one has matched the winning numbers in 15 straight drawings. The numbers for Saturday’s $325 million drawing were 22, 32, 37, 44, 50 and Powerball 34.
Powerball is played in 42 states, including Georgia, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The $500 million Powerball jackpot is the second largest in Georgia Lottery history behind the historic world record $656 million Mega Millions jackpot in March.
For those of you willing to shell out $2 per play, Powerball offers two payment options: the $500 million jackpot prize paid over 29 years in 30 graduated payments, or the cash option, which is approximately $327 million.
POWERBALL FAST FACTS (courtesy of the Georgia Lottery Corporation)
Draw Date: Nov. 28, 2012
Estimated Jackpot Amount: $500 million
Annuity Amount: Jackpot prize paid over 29 years in 30 graduated payments
Cash Option Amount: Approximately $327 million
Cost to Play: $2 per play; an additional $1 per play to add the Power Play multiplier
Drawings: 11 p.m. (ET) every Wednesday and Saturday
Overall Odds of Winning Any Prize: Approximately 1:32
Odds of Winning Jackpot Prize: Approximately 1:175 million
Date Jackpot Began Rolling: Oct. 6, 2012
Number of Rolls: 15
Last Winning Powerball Jackpot Ticket: Oct. 3, 2012 – $50 million jackpot (Delaware winner)
#1 Powerball Jackpot: Nov. 28, 2012 – $500 million jackpot (Current jackpot)
Previous Powerball Record Jackpot: Feb. 18, 2006 – $365 million (Nebraska winner)
#1 Georgia Lottery Jackpot: March 30, 2012 – $656 million Mega Millions jackpot (Maryland, Illinois, Kansas winners)
WHERE TO PLAY POWERBALL
Click here for a list of Powerball retailers in Cumming and Forsyth County.
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