Powerball® Jackpot Rises to $550 Million for Tonight's Drawing

Pennsylvania Lottery Reminds Players to Play Responsibly

MIDDLETOWN, Pa., Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Continuing high-volume ticket sales have pushed the Powerball® jackpot to a game-record $550 million annuity value, or a $360.2 million cash prize, for the Wednesday, Nov. 28 drawing.

Only one U.S. lottery jackpot has ever been larger: the $656 million Mega Millions jackpot on March 30, 2012, which was claimed as a $471 million cash prize.

"We urge Pennsylvania Lottery players to play responsibly while enjoying the excitement of this record Powerball jackpot," said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Todd Rucci. "As a reminder, Powerball ticket sales will end in Pennsylvania this evening at 9:59 p.m."

The current Powerball jackpot run began Oct. 6.

At midday on Nov. 28, the Pennsylvania Lottery has seen more than $70 million in Powerball and Powerplay sales for the current jackpot run. Considering about 30 cents of each dollar spent on Lottery is dedicated to programs benefiting older Pennsylvanians, this Powerball run has already generated more than $21 million for the Lottery Fund.

Also at midday on Nov. 28, the Pennsylvania Lottery reported statewide Powerball and Powerplay sales volume of approximately $20,000 per minute.

Tickets for tonight's Powerball drawing will be available until 9:59 p.m. at Pennsylvania Lottery retailers.

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.

Powerball tickets are sold in 44 participating jurisdictions.

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: Gary Miller, 717-702-8008

Editor's Note: For Powerball historic information and jackpot rankings, visit www.powerball.com and select "Press Contacts," then scroll to the bottom of the page and select the link for "Powerball General Information."

SOURCE Pennsylvania Lottery

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