Winning the Powerball jackpot is less expensive than you think
The winner has a choice: he can either receive the jackpot in 30 annual payments or opt for the more popular lump sum of $273.3 million.
A Phoenix woman was just one number away from winning the $91 million Powerball jackpot earlier this year, but she still walked away with a million-dollar win.
The winner, 52-year-old Joyce D. of Phoenix, Arizona, ordered a $2 Powerball ticket from her cell phone using the Jackpocket app before the July 20 drawing. Much to her surprise, her Quick Pick ticket matched all five white balls and she missed only the red Powerball drawing to win the $1 million prize.
Joyce told Jackpoket that she couldn’t quite believe her win until she finally held the winning ticket in her hand.
According to the company, she is the largest lottery winner in Arizona to date using the Jackpocket app since its launch in the state in January 2023.
The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing on Saturday, July 20, were 18, 25, 31, 40 and 57. The red Powerball was 4, but Joyce picked 20 for the red Powerball and narrowly missed the jackpot.
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What were the Powerball winning numbers for Saturday, August 17?
The winning numbers of the last Powerball drawing on Saturday, August 17, were 12, 31, 43, 45 and 46. The red Powerball was 22 and the Power Play was 5X.
The most recent Powerball win occurred on Monday, August 12, when a player from Pennsylvania won the $213.8 million jackpot, the sixth win this year.
Winning numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery messenger of the USA TODAY network.
How to play Powerball
To purchase a $2 Powerball ticket, you’ll need to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store—in some states, you can also purchase tickets online.
To play, you must select a total of six numbers to mark on your ticket. Five numbers are white balls and range from 1 to 69. The Powerball is red and one number is between 1 and 26.
If you want to increase your chances of winning, you can add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. This addition can increase winnings by 2X, 3-fold, 4X, 5Xor 10X.
Players can also ask a cashier for a “quick pick,” in which the cashier gives you computer-generated numbers on a printed Powerball ticket.
The draws take place on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings. If there is no jackpot winner, the cash prize increases by millions.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Lottery tickets may also be sold in some airport terminals.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington DC and West Virginia. With the Jackpocket app, you can select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and claim your winnings – all from your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery messenger of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue by referring viewers to Jackpocket services. Minimum age: 18, in Arizona: 21, in Northeast: 19. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-877-8-HOPE-NY to HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). See jackpocket.com/tos for full terms..
