Powerball jackpot explodes to $1.7 billion: Did anyone win the third-largest prize in US history?

The Powerball jackpot has increased once again and the jackpot is now the third largest in history. The Multi-State Lottery Association confirmed on Thursday that the prize money had soared to $1.70 billion after no one matched all six winning numbers in the draw on Wednesday, September 3. The pot grew after no ticket matched all six numbers from Wednesday night's drawing. It now has an estimated cash value of $770.3 million, according to the lottery.

The white balls drawn on Wednesday were 3, 16, 29, 61 and 69. The red Powerball was 22.

When will the next drawing take place?

According to the release, the next drawing will now take place on Saturday, September 6, “marking the third-largest jackpot in U.S. lottery history". This third-largest total follows a record-breaking $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot win on Nov. 7, 2022, and a $1.765 billion prize on Oct. 11, 2023.


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Wednesday's winning numbers were white balls 3, 16, 29, 61, 69, and red Powerball 22, while “The Power Play® multiplier" was 2. Wednesday marked the 41st consecutive draw where there has been no jackpot winner since May 31 when somebody won big in California. However, there were some lucky winners on Wednesday who walked away with smaller prizes.

11 people won $1 million prizes as their tickets, which were sold in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, matched all five white balls.

Eleven lucky players across the country each won $1 million by matching all five white balls. The winning tickets were sold in California (2), Colorado, Florida, Georgia (2), Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

“Four tickets matched all five white balls and increased their winnings to $2 million, by including the Power Play® option for $1 more at purchase,” according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. “The $2 million-winning tickets were sold in Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Wyoming," they added. 117 tickets also won $50,000 prizes, while 36 tickets won $100,000 prizes.

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Did anyone win the Powerball last night?

If Saturday's draw does produce a lucky winner, they will have the choice between “an annuitized prize estimated at $1.70 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $770.3 million,” with both sums being before taxes. If the winner goes for the annuity option, they will get an immediate payment and then 29 annual payments that have a five-percent increase each year.

Powerball tickets can be bought for $2 per play across 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET and can be live-streamed on Powerball.com.