The jackpot is soaring, and your $2 ticket could change your life
If you’ve ever dreamed about waking up rich enough to never check your bank account again, the Powerball might just be your ticket to that dream. The jackpot is now at a jaw-dropping $1.3 billion, making it one of the biggest in U.S. lottery history.
Nobody matched all the numbers in Monday’s drawing, which means the prize pot just keeps climbing higher. So, when is your next shot at this life-changing pile of cash? Let’s break it down.
When is the next Powerball drawing?
Mark your calendars and set your alarms! The next Powerball drawing will happen on Wednesday, September 3, at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
Drawings are broadcast live from the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee, and you can catch them on TV or through a live stream on Powerball.com.
Powerball happens three times a week—every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday night. If no one wins, the jackpot just keeps growing, which is exactly what got us to this billion-dollar prize.
How much money could you actually take home?
Winning $1.3 billion sounds amazing, but the payout depends on how you choose to get your money.
- Annuity option: This is the full $1.3 billion, spread out over 30 years. You get one big payment right away, and then 29 yearly payments that go up by 5% each year.
- Cash option: Take the money all at once—an estimated $589 million before taxes.
Either way, you’ll be very rich, though Uncle Sam will take his share.
Were there any winners in the last drawing?
While no one scored the big jackpot, plenty of people still walked away with smaller fortunes.
In the last drawing, 10 tickets matched all five white balls, winning $1 million each. Those lucky tickets were sold in states including California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
One of those million-dollar winners bought their ticket at Worcester Smoke n Munch in Massachusetts. Imagine popping into your corner store for a soda and walking out with a million-dollar ticket!
What are the odds of winning Powerball?
Here’s the part where reality sets in—the odds aren’t exactly in your favor.
- The chance of winning any prize at all is about 1 in 24.9.
- The chance of hitting the jackpot? A mind-blowing 1 in 292.2 million.
That’s tougher than being struck by lightning or even becoming a movie star. But hey, someone eventually wins—and it could be you.
How do you play Powerball?
It’s simple:
- Buy a ticket for $2. You can find them at gas stations, convenience stores, and even some grocery stores. In certain states, you can buy them online.
- Pick your numbers: Five white balls (1–69) and one red Powerball (1–26).
- Add Power Play for $1 more if you want to multiply non-jackpot winnings up to 10 times.
- Or let the computer choose your numbers with a Quick Pick.
Match all five white balls and the red Powerball, and you’re suddenly a billionaire.
Where can you play?
Powerball tickets are sold in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Even better, a big chunk of the money goes back into local programmes. Since 1992, Powerball has raised over $36 billion for good causes like education, parks, and community projects. So even if you don’t win, your $2 still helps.
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The bottom line
The next Powerball drawing is set for Wednesday, September 3, at 11 p.m. ET, with a jackpot worth $1.3 billion. For just $2, you could buy the chance to change your life forever.
The odds may be tiny, but that’s part of the thrill—because one ticket, one set of numbers, could be the key to your billionaire dreams.
So, will you grab a ticket and take a shot?
