Powerball Jackpot's Up to $550 Million

Continuing high-volume ticket sales have pushed the Powerball jackpot to a game-record $550 million annuity value, or a $360.2 million cash prize, for the Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 drawing.

Early Wednesday morning the jackpot had a $500 million annuity value, or a $327.4 million cash prize. 

At midday, the Pennsylvania Lottery reported statewide Powerball and Powerplay sales volume of approximately $20,000 per minute.

“Pennsylvania Lottery players are very excited about this record Powerball jackpot, and that excitement is being reflected in our ticket sales,” said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Todd Rucci. “We urge our players to purchase their Powerball tickets early to avoid a last-minute rush, and to always play responsibly.” 

Only one U.S. lottery jackpot has ever been larger: the $656 million Mega Millions jackpot on March 30, 2012, which was claimed as a $471 million cash prize.

The current Powerball jackpot run began Oct. 6, and there have been 15 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner. 

At midday on Nov. 28, the Pennsylvania Lottery had seen more than $70 million in Powerball and Powerplay sales for the current jackpot run.

Considering that about 30 cents of each dollar spent on the Lottery is dedicated to programs benefiting older Pennsylvanians, this Powerball run has already generated more than $19.2 million for the Pennsylvania Lottery Fund. 

Tickets for the Nov. 28 Powerball drawing will be available until 9:59pm Wednesday. To find Powerball vendors in this area, enter an address or zipcode into the Pennsylvania Lottery website's retailer-locator application.

How to play Powerball: Players pay $2 and select five white balls from the first set of 59 numbers plus a single red ball, the Powerball, from a second set of 35 numbers. Players may select their own numbers using a Powerball playslip, or they may opt for computer-selected quick picks. Players must match all five numbers drawn plus the Powerball number to win the jackpot. There also are eight additional ways for players to win a cash prize.

A $2 million Powerball ticket was sold in the Bethlehem area last month.

For drawing results, winning numbers, winners’ stories and to subscribe to the Lottery’s RSS news feed, visit www.palottery.com. Also, log in to Facebook at www.facebook.com/palottery or follow the PA Lottery on Twitter at www.twitter.com/palottery.