A Powerball player in Missouri will split the estimated $1.8 billion jackpot with a winner in Texas. The two winners overcame astronomical odds to end the lottery game’s three-month drought without a big winner.
The winning numbers were 11, 23, 44, 61, and 62, with the Powerball number being 17.
Information on where in Missouri the ticket was sold was not yet released.
The prize, which was the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot in history, followed 41 consecutive drawings in which no one matched all six numbers. The last drawing with a jackpot winner happened May 31.
Powerball’s terrible odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes growing as they roll over when no one wins. Lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes. There are three drawings each week.
The estimated $1.8 billion jackpot would go to a winner who opts to receive 30 payments over 29 years through an annuity. Winners almost always choose the game’s cash option, which for Saturday night’s drawing would be an estimated $826.4 million.
Powerball tickets cost $2, and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Ever been tempted to try your luck for a chance to win a lottery prize? National lottery games like Powerball and Mega Millions have seen their jackpots rise over $1 billion more than a dozen times in recent years.
