The Powerball jackpot has jumped to an eye-popping $1.8 billion, after yet another drawing passed without a big winner Wednesday.
The numbers selected were: 3, 16, 29, 61 and 69, with the Powerball number being 22.
Since May 31, there have been 41 straight drawings without a big winner.
The next drawing will be Saturday night, with the prize expected to be the third-largest in U.S. lottery history.
Powerball’s terrible odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes becoming ever larger as they repeatedly roll over when no one wins. Lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes. There are three drawings each week.
#NEW THIS MORNING – The #Powerball #jackpot is jumping again, now estimated at $1.8 billion for tomorrow night! This now ranks as the 2nd highest jackpot in U.S. history, and tomorrow will be the 42nd draw since it was last hit – something that has never happened before! Will 42…
— CA Lottery Press (@calotterypress) September 5, 2025
The estimated $1.4 billion jackpot from Wednesday night’s drawing would have been for a winner who had opted to receive 30 payments over 29 years through an annuity. Winners almost always choose the game’s cash option, which would have been an estimated $634.3 million.
Powerball tickets cost $2 and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can buy tickets at Gold Ranch, Truckee, Markleeville or Hallelujah Junction.
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