Jackpot hits year’s high mark
The Powerball jackpot has grown to an estimated $643 million, the largest prize of 2025 so far, ahead of Wednesday night’s drawing. The cash value of the jackpot is about $290.6 million if awarded as a lump sum.
The growth comes after no player matched all six numbers drawn on Monday. The numbers were 15, 46, 61, 63, and 64, and the Powerball number was 1.
Long drought without a winner
The jackpot has been steadily growing since it was last won on May 31, 2025, when a ticket in California won $204.5 million. It has been 32 drawings in a row without a grand prize winner since that time.
This year’s Powerball history shows several large jackpots already claimed:
- May 31 – $204.5 million in California
- April 26 – $167.3 million in Kentucky
- March 29 – $526.5 million in California
- Jan. 18 – $328.5 million in Oregon
There have been no jackpot winners in recent months, but many players have won significant prizes anyway. Between June 2 and Aug. 13, 37 tickets matched the five white balls to win $1 million each, and nine tickets included the Power Play option, which raised their prize to $2 million.
How jackpot payouts work
Players who win the jackpot through good fortune have two options for payment:
- Lump sum: A single cash payment — estimated to be about $290.6 million now.
- Annuity: An initial payment and then 29 yearly payments, each 5% larger than the previous one each year.
The annuity provides winners with the entire advertised jackpot in three decades, but the lump sum is less but offers immediate cash.
Hard odds — But high hopes
Powerball is famous for its life-changing jackpots, but the likelihood of winning is very low. The probability of winning a prize is 1 in 24.9, and the jackpot is a whopping 1 in 292.2 million.
Despite the long odds, excitement builds as the prize amount rises. Convenience store, gas station, and grocery store lines lengthen as drawings approach, with players chasing the dream of instant wealth.
Recent stories of large payouts
Powerball is still a life-changer even if there is no jackpot. A man from Massachusetts won twice in the same drawing recently, claiming $2 million after matching all five of the white balls on two separate tickets.
Such tales continue to keep players hopeful — demonstrating that while the chances are against it, large prizes do get awarded.
The next drawing to be held on wednesday night
The next Powerball draw is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:59 p.m. ET. The tickets cost $2 per play, with an extra $1 for the Power Play option to enhance non-jackpot prizes.
Lottery officials also reminded players to check tickets carefully because matching certain numbers can also lead to smaller prizes.
Creating a buzz as jackpot nears $650 million
With the jackpot now over half a billion dollars, the excitement is building. Whether the next drawing produces a lucky multimillionaire or sends the prize even further skyward, Powerball fever is only going to get worse this week.
As it sits right now, America waits to see whether Wednesday night brings a new winner — or sets the stage for an even bigger prize to come.
