Powerball Payout Reaches $1.3 Billion

1.3 Billion Powerball Lottery jackpot

Without even blinking an eye, Powerball has reached the total sum of $1.3 billion. Yes, that is billion, as in a 13-figure prize for the lucky winner. That is if there is a winner this coming Wednesday, Jan. 13, when the drawing takes place. More and more people have been buying up lotto tickets just to get their shot at the life-changing, I can buy a yacht, amount of money.

This Power ball drawing will be the largest payout in history, and it is not only the largest in the United States, but is the biggest worldwide. “Biggest jackpot in the history of the world. Absolutely confirmed,” Texas Lottery executive director Gary Grief said. The funny part is that the billboards around the country are advertising the jackpot sum as $999 million, due to the fact that they were never made to show in the billions. However, not to worry as the lottery computers can handle the amount with no problem.

The odds do not look favorable, as it is one in 292.2 million to win, but someone will get that lucky eventually. It has been calculated that 75% of all possible combinations have been purchased before Saturday’s drawing, and estimate that enough tickets will be sold to cover 80% by Wednesday. The majority, 95%, of Powerball tickets are computer-generated numbers.

Despite covering such a high amount of the possible combinations, it is still likely that the amount rolls over and the total could get even larger. The jackpot ballooned since November 4 where it started at $40 million, causing ticket sales to rise. It was a shock that no one has won yet, but it becomes more and more likely as the drawing gets closer. Even people who do not usually buy tickets are lining up to get their shot at the $1.3 billion Powerball lotto jackpot.