The Powerball jackpot has risen to an estimated $815 million for Wednesday night’s drawing, positioning it as the seventh-largest prize in the game’s history with a cash value of about $367.9 million. No ticket matched all six numbers in Monday’s drawing—white balls 16, 19, 34, 37, 64 and red Powerball 22—allowing the prize to roll over for the 38th time since the last win on May 31, 2025, in California.
Two tickets, one in Georgia and one in Texas, each won $1 million by matching the five white balls. An additional 26 tickets secured $50,000 prizes, and five claimed $150,000 with the Power Play multiplier of three. In the separate Double Play drawing, which offers a second chance for $1 extra per play, a Maryland ticket won $500,000 by matching all five white balls: 15, 16, 23, 52 and 66. Double Play drawings follow the main event and are streamed on Powerball.com, with top prizes up to $10 million.
Winners of the jackpot can select the annuity option for 30 payments over 29 years, starting with an immediate payout and increasing 5% annually, or opt for the lump sum before taxes. Federal taxes withhold 24%, and state taxes vary, potentially reducing the take-home amount further. Powerball tickets cost $2 per play, available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Add-ons like Power Play multiply non-jackpot prizes up to 10 times for an extra $1, while Double Play provides another drawing using the same numbers.
Drawings take place Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time from the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee, broadcast on select stations and streamed online. Sales cut off times vary by jurisdiction, typically 9:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Overall odds of winning any prize are one in 24.9, while jackpot odds are one in 292.2 million. Proceeds from ticket sales support education, infrastructure and other public initiatives, with more than half remaining in the selling area.
The current run follows a pattern of extended rolls that build excitement and sales. For instance, the previous jackpot cycle ended with a $842.4 million win in Michigan on January 1, 2024, after 34 drawings. Earlier cycles included a $1.326 billion prize in Oregon on April 6, 2024, and a $1.08 billion win in California on July 19, 2023. These large prizes stem from game adjustments in 2015 that lengthened odds to allow bigger accumulations.
Players often choose quick picks for random numbers or select based on personal significance, though all combinations have equal chances. Lottery officials recommend signing tickets immediately and checking results promptly, as claim periods range from 90 days to one year depending on the state. Unclaimed prizes revert to state funds for public use.
In recent drawings, secondary prizes have provided substantial wins. On August 23, 2025, numbers 11, 14, 37, 40, 67 and Powerball 8 yielded no jackpot winner but multiple $1 million matches. Earlier, on August 20, numbers 31, 59, 60, 64, 66 and Powerball 19 produced similar results. These frequent near-misses heighten anticipation as the prize grows.
Powerball’s structure ensures escalating jackpots draw widespread participation. When prizes exceed $500 million, sales surge, sometimes leading to last-minute adjustments in estimates. For Wednesday’s drawing, officials project continued growth if no winner emerges, potentially pushing it higher in rankings.
The top 10 jackpots illustrate the game’s capacity for massive prizes: $2.04 billion on November 7, 2022, in California; $1.765 billion on October 11, 2023, in California; $1.586 billion shared by California, Florida and Tennessee on January 13, 2016; $1.326 billion on April 6, 2024, in Oregon; $1.08 billion on July 19, 2023, in California; $842.4 million on January 1, 2024, in Michigan; the current $815 million estimate; $768.4 million on March 27, 2019, in Wisconsin; $758.7 million on August 23, 2017, in Massachusetts; and $754.6 million on February 6, 2023, in Washington.
Experts advise winners to consult financial advisors before claiming, as sudden wealth requires careful planning for taxes, investments and security. Anonymity options differ by state; some allow public disclosure waivers, while others mandate identification. Lottery organizations promote responsible play, directing those with concerns to resources like the National Council on Problem Gambling.
As the drawing approaches, players can verify tickets via apps, websites or retailers. Official results post shortly after the broadcast, with detailed breakdowns of prizes and winners. If the jackpot hits, it would mark the first win since May, ending a summer-long buildup.
