Powerball jackpot reaches estimated $1 billion ahead of Wednesday drawing

The Powerball jackpot rose to an estimated $1 billion after no ticket matched the winning numbers in Monday night’s drawing, the first jackpot of that size since a $1.8 billion prize was awarded in Arkansas on Christmas Eve last year. The upcoming Wednesday drawing will be the 44th consecutive draw in the current jackpot series and ranks as the eighth-largest in Powerball history, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Monday’s numbers were 6, 37, 54, 55 and 64 with the Powerball 10, and the Power Play multiplier was 3. If a ticket wins on Wednesday, the winner may choose an annuitized payout of roughly $1 billion paid over 30 installments across 29 years, or a lump-sum payment estimated at $433.1 million, both before taxes. Several states, including Florida, Texas and Tennessee, do not levy taxes on lottery winnings, and most winners opt for the lump sum.

While the top prize went unclaimed, other prizes were awarded. A ticket sold in Tennessee that matched all five white balls and the Power Play option won $2 million. Separate tickets in California and Maryland each matched the five white numbers to claim the $1 million Match 5 prize; California payouts can vary based on ticket sales and the number of winners.

The odds of hitting the Powerball jackpot are about 1 in 292.2 million, a probability far lower than the roughly 1 in 1.22 million chance of being struck by lightning in a given year, according to the National Weather Service. The jackpot’s growth reflects recent game redesigns that lengthened odds, increased drawing frequency and expanded the player base.

Powerball tickets are available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom, with drawings held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.