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The jackpot for Powerball skyrocketed to 643 million dollars after no one matched the six winning numbers in the drawing on Monday, August 19.
The figure represents the highest total of the year and the highest in over twelve months.
The winning numbers were 15, 46, 61, 63, and 64, with the Powerball 1.
No tickets matched the complete combination, so the jackpot remains unclaimed and will be carried over to the next drawing, which will take place this Wednesday, August 21 at 10:59 PM (Eastern Time).
Payment methods for the $643 million prize
The next Powerball winner will have two payment options:
1. Complete annuity of 643 million dollars: This involves a payment divided into 30 annual installments over 29 years, with a 5% increase each year. This approach aims to provide long-term financial stability and protect against inflation.
2. One-time cash payment of 290.6 million dollars: This option allows for immediate receipt of the amount, albeit at a reduced value.
The payment is subject to federal and state taxes, so the net amount the winner would receive will depend on their state of residence. In general terms, the final amount could range between 180 and 200 million dollars.
An unprecedented streak since May
This upcoming draw will mark the 35th consecutive time without a major prize winner, since a ticket sold in California won 204.5 million dollars on May 31.
Since then, although there have been secondary prizes in various states, the major jackpot has continued to grow.
The Multi-State Lottery Association, responsible for coordinating Powerball, reported that ticket sales have increased by 40% compared to the same period last year.
"As the jackpot increases, we expect ticket sales to rise," stated the organization.
Major awards presented since April 2024
Over the past year, Powerball has distributed significant jackpots across various states in the country. The most notable include:
May 6, 2024 – 214.9 million dollars – Florida.
June 10, 2024 – 222.6 million dollars – New Jersey.
July 3, 2024 – 139.3 million dollars – Ohio.
August 12, 2024 – 213.8 million dollars – Pennsylvania.
August 19, 2024 – 44.3 million dollars – California.
-October 23, 2024 – 478.2 million dollars – Georgia.
December 7, 2024 – 256 million dollars – New York.
January 18, 2025 – 328.5 million dollars – Oregon.
- March 29, 2025 - 526.5 million dollars - California.
April 26, 2025 – 167.3 million dollars – Kentucky.
- May 31, 2025 - 204.5 million dollars - California.
The current total of 643 million already surpasses all of them and is, so far, the highest prize offered in 2025.
How to play Powerball and what are the odds
Powerball is available in 45 states in the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Each ticket costs two dollars, and the drawings are held three times a week: on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 PM Eastern Time, from the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee.
To win the jackpot, players must correctly choose five numbers from a set of 69, plus one Powerball number from 1 to 26.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, while the odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9.
If the prize is not awarded in the drawing this Wednesday, August 21, it will continue to grow, potentially reaching historic levels in the coming weeks. The overall anticipation has generated a new wave of interest in the lottery, with lines at retail locations and increased traffic on digital platforms.
Despite the low probability, the hope persists among millions of players. The Multi-State Lottery Association has once again emphasized the importance of playing responsibly.
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