One person in Tennessee is $259.8 million richer after picking the winning numbers in the Wednesday Powerball lottery drawing.
The winning numbers drawn for the multi-state lottery's jackpot are 14, 18, 25, 33, and 49, with Powerball number 23. The Tennessee lottery website said the winning ticket was sold in Knoxville.
If the winner chooses the cash payout, it would be worth $153.5 million.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 175,223,510. The Powerball jackpot has been climbing since April 26. There were 14 consecutive drawings conducted without a winner before it was hit Wednesday night.
The $259.8 million annuity is the 35th-largest jackpot ever won in the United States, and Powerball's 19th-largest in game history. The lump-sum cash value of #153.5 million is the 30th-largest ever seen in United States lottery history, and the 14th-largest ever for the Powerball game.
In the last two years, Powerball prizes have increased considerably, due to ticket prices doubling to $2, and California, the nation's most populous state, joining 42 other states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands in playing the game.
The biggest winner in the history of Powerball took home $590 million before taxes after purchasing a winning ticket in May 2013 in Florida.
In August 2013, a Powerball jackpot worth $448 million was shared by three winning tickets held by a man in Ham Lake, Minn., a man in Monmouth Junction, N.J., and a group of 16 co-workers in Ocean County, N.J.
The largest lottery jackpot ever was a Mega Millions drawing in 2012 for $656 million. That prize was split among winners in Kansas, Illinois and Maryland.
Powerball is played in 43 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings take place every Wednesday and Saturday.
Congrats to the winner(s)!
rdgrnr? Did ya finally hit one?
Wishing we could get a powerball winner in north carolina
4 year drought here... Anyways congrats to the winner
Purchase the Ferrari California I always wanted
The dragon lady, is about to make an entrance, and claim responsibility, for making it happen.
Congrats to the lucky winner.
Boo Ya for Knoxville Tennessee winner. He they invest wisely.
Congratulation to the wiiner/s....... hope it's you Ridge
Congrats to the lucky winner!
Well, congratulations to the winner.
Hmmmm, my brother lives in Knoxville. Maybe I should give him a call.....
SEE
It is fixed!
Tennessee always wins!
Ooooooooooops LOL
Congrats to the winner!
She needed a sale booster,she got one.
Congrats to the winner(s)!
Hope it's Ridge.
Finally came down from your Mountain retreat huh Rider!
Congratulations to all!
Maybe it is!!
Congratulations to the lucky winner.