The Powerball lottery is creating quite the buzz as December 2024 rolls on, with jackpots swelling and the excitement of potential winnings reaching new heights. With the estimated jackpot at $240 million and cash option of $113.6 million as of the Wednesday draw, lottery enthusiasts are advised to check their tickets!
Latest Powerball numbers reveal no jackpot winners from the previous drawing. The last numbers drawn on Monday were 3-9-26-61-67 with Powerball 13, and the Power Play was set at 2x. Yet, there is hope - one lucky ticket holder from Massachusetts secured the Match 5 prize, netting $1 million. If you’re wondering about the various prizes still up for grabs, you can win starting from matching just one number along with the Powerball.
The cash prizes for Powerball match-ups are outlined as follows: for merely getting the Powerball, the prize is $4; matching one white number and the Powerball also nets $4; and for matching two white numbers with the Powerball, the prize is $7. If you do hit three white numbers, you’ll receive $7, and do the same but add the Powerball, you’ll take home $100. The rewards escalate significantly for four and five matches, with $50,000 for matching four white numbers alongside the Powerball and $1 million for matching all five white numbers alone.
Powerball drawings occur every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at around 10:59 p.m. ET, offering plenty of chances to win big every week. After Monday's non-winning draw, the jackpot swelled up, now estimated at $117 million with cash options reaching $53.4 million. This increase follows the trend of previous jackpots, like the staggering $1.326 billion won back on April 7, 2024. Just think, Christmas is around the corner and what could be more festive than winning big?
Looking at recent Powerball history, jackpot wins have been recorded across various states, with New York clinching $256 million earlier this month. Other notable wins include: $44 million from California, $213.8 million from Pennsylvania, and 2023's biggest win at $2.04 billion from California as well.
According to USA TODAY, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are challenging, with players facing one chance out of 292,201,338—a stark reminder of how rare such windfalls can be. Nevertheless, the excitement surrounding such vast sums of money continues to entice millions of players across the nation to purchase tickets.
Tickets can conveniently be obtained from local convenience stores, gas stations, or supermarkets and, thanks to the app Jackpocket, players can also buy tickets digitally if they are residing within states like New York, New Jersey, or Massachusetts. All you need is to choose six numbers - five from the white balls numbered 1 to 69 and one red Powerball from 1 to 26. Not only does this allow players accessibility, but also the “Power Play” option can increase non-jackpot winnings, making it even more thrilling.
Powerball remains eager to engage the public as desires to strike it rich intensify during this festive season. With no jackpot winners from recent draws and previous large payouts prompting renewed interest, the anticipation for the next winning ticket is palpable. Will you be among the lucky ones this December?
