Draw nears $700 million Powerball prize, 10th largest in US – Boston News, Weather, Sports

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Another huge lottery jackpot is at stake Saturday night for players willing to wager $2 against terrifying odds of actually winning the grand prize.

The estimated $700 million Powerball jackpot is the 10th largest in US lottery history and the latest in a string of huge lottery prizes. Someone in Maine won a $1.35 billion Mega Millions prize less than three weeks ago, and a California player won a $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot last November.

The jackpots get so big because the hard odds offer only a tiny chance of matching all six numbers and winning the grand prize. This allows the jackpots to circulate and increase for months.

The last time someone beat the odds of one in 292.2 million and won the Powerball jackpot was November 19, 2022.

The $700 million estimate is for a winner paid by an annuity over 29 years of age. Winners usually opt for cash, which would be $375.7 million for Saturday night’s drawing.

Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as in Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

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