New York, United States – A staggering jackpot of $600 million was up for grabs in the recent Powerball drawing, with a cash option of $285.9 million available to the lucky winner. It has been a while since the jackpot was last claimed, back on Jan. 1 when a lottery player in Michigan secured the $842.4 million prize. As if that wasn’t enough, the Mega Millions jackpot also reached a jaw-dropping $875 million, with a cash option of $413.5 million on the line.
For those eagerly awaiting the Powerball results, the winning numbers for the March 16, 2024 drawing were announced: 12, 23, 44, 57, 61, and the Powerball number 5, with a Powerplay of 2x. Each week, three opportunities arise to strike it rich, with drawings taking place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. ET. This schedule was expanded in 2021 to include Monday drawings, offering even more chances for hopefuls to win big.
Players looking to try their luck need to be aware that the deadline for purchasing Powerball tickets varies from state to state. In New Jersey, tickets must be secured by 9:59 p.m. on drawing day, while New York allows purchases up until 10 p.m. People from 45 states, along with Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have the opportunity to participate in the Powerball excitement.
Playing Powerball is straightforward: participants select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. With prizes ranging from $4 for a Powerball match to $1 million for matching all five white balls (excluding California), the potential for life-changing wins keeps players coming back for more. The allure of the jackpot, which requires matching all six numbers, adds to the excitement of the game.
One burning question on the minds of many players is whether to opt for a lump sum or annuity payout if they win the jackpot. The annuity option pays out over time, with an immediate sum followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year. On the other hand, the cash option, while lower than the advertised jackpot amount, provides a lump sum payout, eliminating the need to wait years for the full amount.
As the anticipation builds for each drawing, fans of the lottery tune in to watch the Powerball numbers revealed live on the lottery website at 10:59 p.m. ET on drawing nights. For those who prefer to watch the drawing on local television, the broadcast may also be available in their area. The excitement of waiting to see if their numbers match the winning combination adds to the thrill of playing for many hopeful participants.
With odds of winning the jackpot at 292,201,338-to-1, the thrill of playing doesn’t come without a healthy dose of reality. Matching all five white balls is a challenge with odds of 11,688,053-to-1. Despite the slim chances of winning the grand prize, the allure of the Powerball jackpot continues to captivate players across the country, fueling their dreams of striking it rich.
For those wondering about the largest Powerball jackpots in history, a list of the top 10 winners since the lottery began in 1992 provides a glimpse into the potential fortunes waiting to be claimed. From a $2.04 billion jackpot won in California to a $590.5 million prize awarded in Florida, the list showcases the life-changing sums that have turned lucky winners into millionaires overnight.