Powerball Jackpot Reaches New Heights
The next Powerball drawing is set for Monday, June 3, 2024, at 10:59 p.m. ET. The jackpot has climbed to an estimated $171 million with a cash value of $79.5 million. This increase follows the recent drawing on Saturday, June 1, where no one matched all six numbers. The winning numbers for that drawing were 28, 38, 52, 54, 68, and the Powerball was 8. The Power Play multiplier was 2X.
Recent Powerball Drawings
In the previous drawing on Wednesday, May 29, the winning numbers were 17, 34, 56, 60, 61, and the Powerball was 9. Again, no one claimed the grand prize, causing the jackpot to rise to $161 million. The Power Play multiplier for that drawing was also 2X. The lack of a grand prize winner in these recent drawings has contributed to the growing jackpot.
How to Play Powerball
Playing Powerball is straightforward. Each ticket costs $2 per play. Players select five numbers from a range of 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from a range of 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. You can choose your numbers manually or let the lottery terminal randomly pick them for you. For an additional $1 per play, you can add the Power Play option, which can multiply non-jackpot winnings up to ten times when the jackpot is $150 million or less.
Powerball Drawing Schedule
Powerball drawings are held three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased until the cutoff time, which varies by state. For example, in Delaware, tickets can be bought until 9:45 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the cutoff time is 9:59 p.m. ET.
Odds of Winning Powerball
The odds of winning the grand prize in Powerball are 1 in 292,201,338. However, there are nine ways to win prizes, with the lowest prize being $4. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.87 based on a $2 play. While the odds may seem daunting, the potential rewards make it an exciting game for many.
Mega Millions Jackpot Continues to Grow
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 11 p.m. ET. The jackpot has reached an impressive $560 million with a cash option of $258.4 million. This follows the drawing on Friday, May 31, where no one matched all six numbers. The winning numbers for that drawing were 4, 11, 23, 33, 49, and the Mega Ball was 23. The Megaplier was 4X.
Recent Mega Millions Drawings
In the drawing on Tuesday, May 28, the winning numbers were 12, 18, 48, 57, 62, and the Mega Ball was 4. The Megaplier was 5X. Again, no one claimed the grand prize, causing the jackpot to rise to $522 million for the next drawing. One ticket sold in California matched all five numbers except for the Mega Ball, winning $1 million.
How to Play Mega Millions
Playing Mega Millions is similar to Powerball. Each ticket costs $2 per play. Players select five numbers from a range of 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from a range of 1 to 25 for the gold Mega Ball. You can choose your numbers manually or let the lottery terminal randomly pick them for you. For an additional $1 per play, you can add the Megaplier option, which can multiply non-jackpot winnings.
Mega Millions Drawing Schedule
Mega Millions drawings are held twice a week on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased until the cutoff time, which varies by state. For example, in Arizona, tickets can be bought until 6:59 p.m. Arizona time on the night of the draw.
Odds of Winning Mega Millions
The odds of winning the grand prize in Mega Millions are approximately 1 in 302.6 million. However, there are multiple ways to win prizes, with the lowest prize being $2. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24. While the odds are long, the massive jackpots make it a popular game.
Recent Lottery Winners
A recent notable winner includes a Florida lottery player who won a $215 million Powerball jackpot on Monday, May 6. This was the third Powerball jackpot prize of 2024. Previous winners in both Powerball and Mega Millions have broken into the top 10 largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history.
Where to Buy Tickets and Watch Drawings
Tickets for both Powerball and Mega Millions can be purchased at various retail locations and online in some states. For example, in Pennsylvania, tickets can be bought online at www.pailottery.com/games/draw-games/. In New Jersey, tickets can be purchased at njlotto.com. Drawings are streamed live on the respective lottery websites and may also air on local television stations.
Payout Options for Winners
Winners of both Powerball and Mega Millions have two payout options. They can choose to receive annual payments spread over thirty years for the full jackpot amount or opt for a lump sum payment, which is just over half of the total amount. This choice allows winners to decide how they want to manage their newfound wealth.
Claiming Lottery Prizes
In Florida, prizes must be claimed within six months from the date of the drawing. For single-payment cash options, winners have up to the first sixty days after the applicable draw date to claim it. Scratch-off tickets and Fast Play game prizes must be claimed within two months of the official end-of-game date.
Conclusion
With the next Powerball drawing scheduled for Monday, June 3, and the next Mega Millions drawing set for Tuesday, June 4, lottery enthusiasts have exciting opportunities ahead. The growing jackpots and the thrill of potentially winning life-changing amounts make these upcoming drawings highly anticipated events. Whether you play Powerball, Mega Millions, or both, remember to play responsibly and enjoy the excitement of the game.
