The Powerball jackpot has surged to an estimated $1.8 billion, with a cash value of $826.4 million, for the Saturday, September 6, 2025, drawing, making it the second-largest jackpot in U.S. lottery history. The estimate was increased from $1.7 billion on Saturday morning, fueling excitement across Southern Maryland and beyond as players anticipate the historic draw at 10:59 p.m. ET, broadcast live from the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee and streamed on Powerball.com.
This colossal jackpot trails only the record $2.04 billion won in California on November 7, 2022. “Excitement is building as players look forward to tomorrow night’s drawing for this historic jackpot,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “We encourage everyone to play responsibly and take pride in knowing that every $2 ticket also helps support good causes in their community.” The current jackpot has grown over 42 drawings since the last win in California on May 31, 2025, producing 101 tickets worth $1 million or more and over 1,000 tickets worth $50,000 or more nationwide.
For Southern Maryland residents, the allure of Powerball is familiar, with local retailers like the Wawa at 27605 Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville recently selling a $50,000 winning ticket to Hughesville’s Paul Hamilton. Powerball tickets, priced at $2 per play, are sold across 45 states, including Maryland, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Maryland, lottery proceeds support education, public health, and other state programs, contributing over $1.2 billion annually in recent years.
A jackpot winner will face a choice: an annuitized prize of $1.8 billion, paid as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments increasing by 5% each year, or a lump sum of $826.4 million, both before taxes. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, while the overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9. Powerball’s nine prize tiers range from $4 for matching the Powerball alone to the jackpot for matching all five white balls and the red Powerball.
The game, which began in 1992, has generated over $36 billion for public causes across participating jurisdictions. In Southern Maryland, where communities like Prince Frederick, Leonardtown, and La Plata buzz with lottery enthusiasm, players can purchase tickets at local retailers until 10 p.m. ET on draw nights. Drawings occur every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET, offering multiple chances to win.
As the jackpot approaches Saturday’s drawing, Southern Marylanders are reminded to play responsibly. The region’s lottery culture thrives on stories of local wins, and with the second-largest jackpot in history at stake, anticipation is high for the next draw.
Top Ten Powerball® Jackpots
- $2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA
- $1.80 Billion (estimated) – Sept. 6, 2025
- $1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 – CA
- $1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN
- $1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 – OR
- $1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA
- $842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI
- $768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI
- $758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA
- $754.6 Million – Feb. 6, 2023 – WA
