Powerball ticket sales ramping up as game seeks to create billionaire
By Todd Northrop
Arriving together with the year's holiday season, the current Powerball jackpot of $1 billion could make the winner into the ultimate real-life Santa Claus.
The Powerball jackpot has been building for 41 consecutive drawings since the last winner on September 6, when two tickets sold in Missouri and Texas split a $1.7874 billion jackpot — the second-largest lottery jackpot in history. Both tickets have already been claimed; the Missouri winner is a self-described homebody and the Texas portion was claimed by a trust.
Wednesday night when there were no Powerball jackpot winners, the new jackpot for Saturday's drawing was estimated at $1 billion, with a lump-sum cash option of $457.7 million. Nearly a half-billion dollars in cash!
For the 7th time in history, a Powerball jackpot has reached $1 billion. It is the 14th-largest lottery jackpot in US history, and the 19th-largest cash option ever offered. (See complete top 25 jackpot rankings for annuity and cash values below.)
Of course, any big winner (or winners) of Saturday's Powerball jackpot will have to pay taxes on their prize, so the website USA Mega has a handy Powerball Jackpot Analysis page available to calculate the federal and state taxes that would be withheld upon payout. The feature calculates both the initial withholdings and the final tax burden due at the end of the year, and even can show taxes calculated for different IRS filing statuses.
Players looking for a nearby lottery retailer — or that out-of-the-way retailer with a smaller line — are encouraged to use Lottery Places, the only app for iOS, Android, and Windows that can locate the nearest lottery retailers in every jurisdiction that sells Powerball and Mega Millions. The helpful app can locate lottery stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, much of Canada, and the Caribbean.
Some states offer direct online sales, allowing players to bypass the store and purchase tickets from home. Players can see if they can play Powerball online by tapping the link. Depending on the physical location of the person, the link will either provide access via a licensed butler service or the official state lottery itself.
Butler services provide scanned copies of the purchased lottery tickets securely held on behalf of the customer. In the past, such lottery ticket services were used by people out side the USA to win big jackpots in Oregon and Florida.
Players should note that jackpot amounts are conservative estimates provided by the lotteries, and are often somewhat higher by the time the drawing occurs. For example, the original estimate for Wednesday's drawing was $930 million, but by the time all the proceeds were counted just before draw-time, the jackpot had grown to $935.5 million. Now that the jackpot has crossed $1 billion and public awareness increases, it is likely to grow much faster.
The winning numbers for Wednesday, December 10, 2025 were 10, 16, 29, 33, and 69, with Powerball number 22. The Power Play number was 3.
The Wednesday Double Play drawing results were 13, 15, 51, 67, and 68, with Powerball number 8. Double Play is a game option currently available in 25 states, plus Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, that lets you play your numbers in a second drawing for $1 per play, with a chance to win up to $10 million in cash. See How to Play Powerball at USA Mega for more information about Double Play.
Even though nobody won the jackpot Wednesday, 3 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from Maryland, 1 from Michigan, and 1 from New Jersey.
None of the second-prize tickets were purchased with the Power Play option, which would have doubled their prize to $2 million.
When a Powerball ticket is purchased with the Power Play option for an extra $1 per ticket, a second-prize win is doubled and any other non-jackpot prize is multplied by the Power Play number drawn that evening. A complete list of prizes available for matching various numbers can be found on the Powerball Drawing Detail page at USA Mega, as well as on the Powerball Prize Payouts and the Powerball Double Play Prize Payouts pages at Lottery Post.
The official drawing videos can also be found on the Powerball Drawing Detail page at USA Mega.
Power Play is not available in California, because the fixed nature of the prize increase offered in Power Play is not compatible with California's pari-mutuel payouts. By law, California awards all prizes on a pari-mutuel basis, meaning the prizes will change each drawing based on the number of tickets sold and the number of tickets that won at each prize level.
Also in the Wednesday drawing, 51 tickets matched four white numbers plus the Powerball and won $50,000. Of those tickets, 14 were purchased with the Power Play option, increasing the prize to $150,000, and 9 of the tickets were sold in California, where the prize was worth $11,822 this drawing.
Following the Wednesday drawing, the Powerball annuity jackpot estimate was raised $64.5 million from its previous amount of $935.5 million and the cash value was raised by $26.2 million from its previous amount of $431.5 million.
The next Powerball drawing will take place Saturday night at 10:59 pm Eastern Time.
Powerball is played in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Tickets cost $2 each.
Powerball lottery results are published within minutes of the drawing at USA Mega (www.usamega.com). The USA Mega Web site provides lottery players in-depth information about the United States's two biggest multi-state lottery games, Mega Millions and Powerball.
Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time
Saturday's Powerball jackpot currently stands as the 14th-largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States, and the 7th-largest Powerball jackpot ever. Brisk sales will almost certainly push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.
- Powerball: $2.0401 billion, Nov. 7, 2022 (40 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
- Powerball: $1.7874 billion, Sep. 6, 2025 (41 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Missouri, Texas
- Powerball: $1.7649 billion, Oct. 11, 2023 (35 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
- Mega Millions: $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023 (31 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Florida
- Powerball: $1.5864 billion, Jan. 13, 2016 (19 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018 (25 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023 (25 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Maine
- Mega Millions: $1.337 billion, Jul. 29, 2022 (29 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Illinois
- Powerball: $1.3259 billion, Apr. 6, 2024 (40 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Oregon
- Mega Millions: $1.269 billion, Dec. 27, 2024 (30 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
- Mega Millions: $1.128 billion, Mar. 26, 2024 (30 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - New Jersey
- Powerball: $1.0798 billion, Jul. 19, 2023 (38 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
- Mega Millions: $1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021 (36 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Michigan
- Powerball: $1 billion, Dec. 13, 2025 (41 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Mega Millions: $983 million, Nov. 14, 2025 (39 rollovers, starting at $50 million) - Georgia
- Powerball: $842.4 million, Jan. 1, 2024 (34 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Michigan
- Mega Millions: $800 million, Sep. 10, 2024 (27 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Texas
- Powerball: $768.4 million, Mar. 27, 2019 (25 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Wisconsin
- Powerball: $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Massachusetts
- Powerball: $754.6 million, Feb. 6, 2023 (33 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Washington
- Powerball: $731.1 million, Jan. 20, 2021 (35 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Maryland
- Powerball: $699.8 million, Oct. 4, 2021 (40 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
- Powerball: $687.8 million, Oct. 27, 2018 (21 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Iowa, New York
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 (18 rollovers, starting at $12 million) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Mega Millions: $648 million, Dec. 17, 2013 (21 rollovers, starting at $12 million) - California, Georgia
The number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 14
- Mega Millions: 11
Top 25 cash value jackpots
Since many lottery winners collect their winnings in cash, the lump-sum payout is an important measure of what a winning ticket could be worth.
Looking at the cash value, the upcoming Powerball jackpot ranks as the 19th-largest cash value in U.S. history.
- Powerball: $997.6 million cash, Nov. 7, 2022 ($2.0401 billion annuity) - California
- Powerball: $983.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2016 ($1.5864 billion annuity) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $877.8 million cash, Oct. 23, 2018 ($1.537 billion annuity) - South Carolina
- Powerball: $820.6 million cash, Sep. 6, 2025 ($1.7874 billion annuity) - Missouri, Texas
- Mega Millions: $794.2 million cash, Aug. 8, 2023 ($1.602 billion annuity) - Florida
- Mega Millions: $780.5 million cash, Jul. 29, 2022 ($1.337 billion annuity) - Illinois
- Mega Millions: $776.6 million cash, Jan. 22, 2021 ($1.05 billion annuity) - Michigan
- Powerball: $774.1 million cash, Oct. 11, 2023 ($1.7649 billion annuity) - California
- Mega Millions: $723.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2023 ($1.348 billion annuity) - Maine
- Powerball: $621 million cash, Apr. 6, 2024 ($1.3259 billion annuity) - Oregon
- Mega Millions: $571.9 million cash, Dec. 27, 2024 ($1.269 billion annuity) - California
- Powerball: $558.1 million cash, Jul. 19, 2023 ($1.0798 billion annuity) - California
- Powerball: $546.8 million cash, Jan. 20, 2021 ($731.1 million annuity) - Maryland
- Mega Millions: $536.6 million cash, Mar. 26, 2024 ($1.128 billion annuity) - New Jersey
- Powerball: $496 million cash, Oct. 4, 2021 ($699.8 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $480.5 million cash, Aug. 23, 2017 ($758.7 million annuity) - Massachusetts
- Powerball: $477 million cash, Mar. 27, 2019 ($768.4 million annuity) - Wisconsin
- Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Powerball: $457.7 million cash, Dec. 13, 2025 ($1 billion annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Mega Millions: $453.6 million cash, Nov. 14, 2025 ($983 million annuity) - Georgia
- Powerball: $450.2 million cash, Jan. 5, 2022 ($632.6 million annuity) - California, Wisconsin
- Powerball: $425.2 million cash, Jan. 1, 2024 ($842.4 million annuity) - Michigan
- Powerball: $407.2 million cash, Feb. 6, 2023 ($754.6 million annuity) - Washington
- Mega Millions: $404.2 million cash, Sep. 10, 2024 ($800 million annuity) - Texas
- Powerball: $396.2 million cash, Oct. 27, 2018 ($687.8 million annuity) - Iowa, New York
The number of jackpot cash values in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 15
- Mega Millions: 10
Been waiting days for this post. Thank you guys!
Goodbye 1995 Honda Accord, Hello 2026 Roush Mustang.
Alrighty, this time I'm going to win for sure, just need a bird to crash into my window.
Excited that lottofever/mania is back.
Maybe I'll skip the traditional lunchmeat sandwiches for the time being ..... my luck hasn't been too good lately.
P.U.!!!! Hoo Kaht Duh Cheez En Hare?
Have a shaggy day everyone!
ShagE3
Is $50 to much to spend or u go by ur heart?
sometimes I feel am crazy for doing so
Publix grocery wins quite a bit of high dollar jackpots
going to a convenience store
playin all the main balls
Impressive to say the least..
My rule is for every $100million lump sum, I buy 1 ticket. For Saturday since it's in the $400s million, I have 4 tickets. If it goes to a half billion lump sum, I'll get 5.
Right on ..... good discipline.
Although I think you meant to say the "cash option"; that's what's in the 400's.
Monday bought five $4 tickets (PP/DP) on-line and first ticket won $12 that was it.
This coming Monday is the ultimate birthday gift especially if it rolls over again!!
Thanks for the compliment. Lump sum, cash option, it's all the same I guess, taking one big payment as opposed to years of smaller payments.
Six of one, half dozen of the other.
Good luck to all players.
I want to thank you all to donating to my earlier-than-planned retirement fund.....Grabbed a few tix for tomorrows draw. Good luck to all, should you decide to be a participant.
hope its the most expensive one LOL
I like the thrill of figuring out strategy but consistently have 5 sets and played 10 more with different main balls
On a down note ..... I see where the cash value has gone down .. the annuity is still a billion.
If I choose the cash option I'll net under 25% of the annuity after taxes. Still a lot of $$$$ tho'. Hmmm maybe I'll just buy 2 tickets instead of the 5 or 6 I was thinking of purchasing.
Have a shaggy day!!!!
ShagE3
its all fixed one winner gonna win again all the taxes they get out to
California once again. We not building this jackpot for nothing.😃
* Why are folks triggered by facts? 😃 What, they want Puerto Rico to win it? What's their contribution? 🤨
Don't forget to add the Power Play option. You could miss out on a $1,000,000 if you don't get it.
How are ticket sales? What will be the next bump if it rolls over?
"Is $50 to much to spend or u go by ur heart? "
It's not too much if you save the money from all the drawings offering less than $1 billion and spend it on the first drawing for $1 billion or more. What happens if it rolls, though? PB only reached $1 billion once this year up until now. The first time there were 4 drawings for $1 billion or more. So far this run has been slower to get the big increases, and based on the most recent worksheet there's a 56% chance it will roll 3 more times*, so most likely there are another 4 chances at $1 billion or more. That would mean spending $400 on PB tickets this year. More than many, but not outlandish. Of course if you've bought tickets for lower jackpots or other games that changes things.
* Based on the chances of winners for upcoming drawings shown on Friday's worksheet the chance of rolling from this Saturday through Monday 12/22 are about 78.7%, 67.6%, 55.7%, 38.9%, and 31%. That would give us slightly less than a 1 in 3 chance of a big jackpot on Christmas eve. The estimates of a winner have started increasing and I'd guess the actual chances when we get to each drawing will be lower, but each jackpot will be higher.
"On a down note ..... I see where the cash value has gone down "
The cash value going down is complete BS. For quite some time the worksheets for both PB and MM have sometimes used the advertised annuity value and new interest rates to calculate a phony cash value instead of showing a new annuity value calculated from the estimated cash value. They're obviously only estimating sales right now, but the actual cash value will be determined by actual sales, and only the annuity value is affected when interest rates change.
As for the annuity values, based on the current estimates and interest rate rollovers from this Monday through Monday 12/22 would be about $1.183 billion, $1.137 billion, and $1.435 billion. Because they haven't posted chances of a winner on Christmas eve I've got no idea how many tickets they expect to sell so I can't calculate a jackpot. As above, I'm sure the actual jackpots will be bigger than what I've calculated, but because I don't know how much sales will take off the best guess I'll make right now is that the actual Christmas eve jackpot will be comfortably past $1.5 billion, if it isn't hit first. In the unlikely event it continues rolling through the Saturday after Christmas (perhaps 10%) I'd expect a new cash record for Monday 12/29.
"its all fixed one winner gonna win again all the taxes they get out to "
The only thing that's fixed is probability, which determines the chance of any number of winner for a given number of tickets. Until sales exceed 367 million tickets 1 winner is the most likely outcome, but even at 100 million tickets the 1 in 23 chance of multiple winners (about 1 in 4.2 for a single winner) doesn't make multiple winners all that unlikely.
The Powerball jackpot reaching $1 billion shows how long it has been rolling over without a winner. Big runs like this always draw extra attention, and people get caught up in the excitement. It also highlights how rare the winning odds really are. Whether someone finally wins soon or it keeps climbing, a jackpot this size becomes a major talking point across the country.
not including tonight's draw, thars 5 more draws to Christmas
Good luck to all
Hopefully nobody from California will hit the jackpot
You couldn't wait to see that list of the all time top 25 jackpots again. The only one that matters now is the current one.
I'm talking about the current one to see where this jackpot rates on this list and expect it to jump several more spots sans winner tonight. After feel good stories that Todd & Kate scour the USA for those, this is my second best reading on LP!
Good luck everyone 🍀🤞
This is gonna be a great birthday present. I'll be 52 on Tuesday.
I see what u saying
I do have a cple sets that I multi draw
if no winner tonight, I will spend $50 and spread over 4 draws
how did u know I save for moment like this, $10 a week
I would still keep my vehicles put everything into a trust and or llc not much would change on the day to day routine but give more to local charities and organizations that do good in my towns and community. Fire department emt police ymca boys and girls club Jimmy fund special Olympics best buddies and pay down student lunch debt across my community.