Powerball Jackpot Reaches New Heights
The next **Powerball** drawing is set to take place on **Monday, April 29, 2024**, at 10:59 p.m. ET. The jackpot has climbed to an impressive **$164 million**, with a cash value of **$74.9 million**. This follows a series of drawings where no grand prize winner emerged, including the most recent drawing on **April 27, 2024**, where the winning numbers were **9, 30, 53, 55, 62**, and the Powerball was **23**. The Power Play multiplier for that drawing was **3X**.
Recent Powerball Winners and Updates
In the **April 27** drawing, there were no grand prize winners, but two lucky players from **Georgia** and **New Jersey** each won **$1 million** by matching five numbers. The previous drawings on **April 24** and **April 22** also saw no grand prize winners, causing the jackpot to roll over and increase. The winning numbers for **April 24** were **2, 20, 22, 26, 47**, with a Powerball of **21** and a Power Play of **4X**. For **April 22**, the numbers were **12, 16, 33, 39, 52**, with a Powerball of **1** and a Power Play of **2X**.
How to Play Powerball
Playing **Powerball** is straightforward. Each ticket costs **$2**, and players can add the **Power Play** option for an additional **$1**. To play, select five numbers from a pool of **1 to 69** for the white balls and one number from **1 to 26** for the red Powerball. Players can choose their own numbers or opt for a **quick pick** to have the numbers randomly selected. There are **nine ways to win**, ranging from **$4** for matching just the Powerball to the jackpot for matching all six numbers.
Where to Buy Powerball Tickets
**Powerball** tickets are available at various locations, including gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and some airport terminals. In certain states, tickets can also be purchased online through the **Jackpocket app**. The purchase deadlines vary by state; for example, in **New Jersey**, the deadline is **9:59 p.m.**, while in **New York**, it is **10 p.m.**.
Mega Millions Jackpot Continues to Grow
The next **Mega Millions** drawing is scheduled for **Tuesday, April 30, 2024**, at 11 p.m. ET. The jackpot has reached a staggering **$257 million**, with a cash option of **$115.6 million**. This follows a series of drawings without a grand prize winner, including the most recent drawing on **April 26, 2024**.
Recent Mega Millions Winners and Updates
In the **April 26** drawing, no one won the grand prize, causing the jackpot to increase. The winning numbers for that drawing were **19, 20, 22, 47, 58**, and the Mega Ball was **1**. The last time someone won the **Mega Millions** jackpot was at the beginning of June, when a player from **Illinois** took home the prize.
How to Play Mega Millions
Playing **Mega Millions** is similar to **Powerball**. Each ticket costs **$2**, and players can add the **Megaplier** option for an additional **$1**. To play, select five numbers from a pool of **1 to 70** for the white balls and one number from **1 to 25** for the Mega Ball. Players can choose their own numbers or use the **quick pick** option for random selection. There are **nine ways to win**, with prizes ranging from **$2** for matching the Mega Ball to the jackpot for matching all six numbers.
Where to Buy Mega Millions Tickets
**Mega Millions** tickets are available in **45 states**, as well as in **D.C.** and the **U.S. Virgin Islands**. They are not available in **Alabama**, **Alaska**, **Hawai’i**, **Nevada**, and **Utah**. In some states, such as **Georgia**, **Illinois**, **Kentucky**, **Michigan**, **New Hampshire**, **North Carolina**, **North Dakota**, **Pennsylvania**, and **Virginia**, tickets can be purchased online by registering with the local lottery.
Broadcasting and Odds of Winning
Both **Powerball** and **Mega Millions** drawings are broadcast live on their respective lottery websites and may also be shown on local TV stations. The odds of winning the **Powerball** jackpot are approximately **one in 292.2 million**, while the odds of winning the **Mega Millions** jackpot are about **one in 302.6 million**. Despite the long odds, the excitement of potentially winning a life-changing amount keeps players coming back.
Payout Options for Winners
Winners of both **Powerball** and **Mega Millions** can choose between two payout options: the **annuity** option or the **cash** option. The annuity option provides an immediate payment followed by annual payments that increase by **5%** each year for **29 years**. The cash option is a lump sum payment that is significantly lower than the advertised jackpot but provides immediate access to the funds.
Historical Context and Notable Wins
The largest **Powerball** jackpot ever was **$1.586 billion**, won in January 2016 by three ticket holders from **California**, **Florida**, and **Tennessee**. The largest **Mega Millions** jackpot was **$1.537 billion**, won in October 2018 by a single ticket holder in **South Carolina**. More recently, a man battling cancer won a **$1.3 billion** Powerball jackpot and decided to split the money with his wife and friend.
Additional Information and Resources
For more information on prize payouts and to check the latest winning numbers, visit the **Powerball** and **Mega Millions** websites. Be cautious of lottery scams and only purchase tickets from authorized retailers. The **Jackpocket app** is an official digital lottery courier service that allows users to pick games and numbers, place orders, and collect winnings via phone or computer.
As the jackpots for both **Powerball** and **Mega Millions** continue to grow, the excitement builds. Whether you choose to play in person or online, remember to play responsibly and enjoy the thrill of the game.
