The largest jackpot in U.S. history is now $1.4 billion, according to lottery officials, who also announced billboards in Georgia can now handle the larger figure.
Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot drawing has been raised from $1.3 billion due to brisk sales. The winner can opt for proceeds in 30 graduated payments over 29 years or a lump sum of $868 million, minus federal and state taxes.
Topping the $1 billion mark meant billboards had to be updated. Now, some say the lottery looks like the prize shrunk because a single $1 appears where $999 had been.
During a Monday afternoon news conference, lottery officials said they are fixing the signs in Georgia by placing a B over the M in million.
Georgia’s $1 million-dollar winner
A Lawrenceville man won $1 million after Saturday's drawing, though no one won the grand prize — yet.
That winning ticket was one of 25 to win $1 million by matching five of the six numbers drawn, lottery officials said. Those winning numbers were 16, 19, 32, 34, 57 and the Powerball number 13.
Your odds of winning a smaller prize
Lottery officials say one in 38 people will match the Powerball and win $4, while one in 701 people will win $7 by matching the Powerball and two of the white ball numbers.
Matching the Powerball and three white balls earns $100, but the odds are one in 14,494.11, officials said.
Sixteen Georgians won $50,000 each Saturday, where odds are one in 913,129.18. Winning tickets were purchased in Athens, Atlanta, Buford, Dalton, Duluth, Griffin, Hull, Jacksonville, Kennesaw, LaGrange, Macon, Marietta, Moultrie, Riverdale and Union Point. One winning $50,000 ticket was purchased online at mygalottery.com.
The real winners of this world record-breaking prize are the children, John Crow, a spokesman for the Georgia Lottery said.
Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corp. has returned more than $17 billion to Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs, including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Pre-K Program. More than 1.7 million students have received HOPE, and more than 1.4 million 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program, officials said.
Biggest lottery worldwide
Spain's annual Christmas lottery, "El Gordo," is the biggest worldwide, offering unmatched 1 in 100,000 odds of winning a £2.8 million jackpot with each ticket bought, according to CNBC. On Dec. 22, $2.4 billion was paid out across 1,600 tickets, with each ticket holder winning 400,000 euros ($434,800), according to the Associated Press.
Next drawing
The jackpot for the twice-weekly Powerball game started at $40 million on Nov. 4 and has been growing ever since. Since Powerball began rolling over on Nov. 7, the jackpot has generated an estimated $26.9 million for Georgia Lottery-funded Pre-K and HOPE Scholarships.
The next drawing is Wednesday and Powerball tickets are $2. For an additional $1 per play, players can increase non-jackpot prizes with the Power Play option.
Check back with AJC.com for updates.
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