Powerball Jackpot Hits Record $600 Million

MIDDLETOWN, Pa., May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Excitement is high for Saturday's Powerball® drawing, which today grew again to a $600 million annuity value– largest in Powerball history. It carries a cash prize of $376.9 million.

"Large jackpots result in growing sales, which means more money generated for older Pennsylvanians," said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Todd Rucci. "We encourage players to have fun with this record jackpot, but always remember to play responsibly."

As of noon today, Pennsylvania Lottery Powerball tickets were selling at about $11,308 per minute. Powerball's jackpot amount has increased two times since announcing a $475 million annuity prize on Wednesday, May 15, after no players matched all the winning numbers drawn that evening. 

The current Powerball jackpot run began Wednesday, April 3. There have been 13 draws without a jackpot winner, and the May 18 drawing will be the 14th in the current run.

Through noon today, Pennsylvania sold more than $60.8 million worth of Powerball tickets for the current run, which translates into $25.5 million in profits for programs benefiting older Pennsylvanians.

The largest prize ever awarded by the Pennsylvania Lottery is a $115.5 million Super 7 jackpot from the April 26, 1989, drawing that was shared among 14 winning tickets. The largest Pennsylvania Lottery prize awarded to a single winning ticket was the $110.3 million Powerball jackpot from May 8, 2004, claimed by a New Jersey couple.

How to play Powerball: Players pay $2 and select five white balls from the first set of 59 numbers plus a single red ball, the Powerball, from a second set of 35 numbers. Players may select their own numbers using a Powerball playslip, or they may opt for computer-selected quick picks. Players must match all five numbers drawn plus the Powerball number to win the jackpot. There also are eight additional ways for players to win a cash prize. Drawings are held Wednesday and Saturday.

Powerball is sold in 43 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

About the Pennsylvania Lottery: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that designates all its proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since its inception in 1971, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed more than $22.6 billion to programs that include property tax and rent rebates; free transit and reduced-fare shared rides; the low-cost prescription drug programs PACE and PACENET; long-term living services; and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including full- and part-time senior centers throughout the state.

The Pennsylvania Lottery reminds its players to play responsibly. Players must be 18 or older.

For drawings results, winning numbers, winners' stories and to subscribe to the Lottery's RSS news feed, visit www.palottery.com. Also log in to Facebook and like us at www.facebook.com/palottery or follow us at www.twitter.com/palottery. 

Media contact: Lauren Piccolo or Gary Miller, 717-702-8008

SOURCE Pennsylvania Lottery

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