The Powerball jackpot rose to an estimated $1.09 billion after no one matched the six numbers drawn Monday night, ending a three-month winless streak for the top prize.
The numbers drawn were 19, 24, 40, 42, 56 and Powerball 23.
No one has won the Powerball jackpot since New Year’s Day, and there have been 39 drawings without anyone matching the game’s six numbers. If no one wins the jackpot on Wednesday night, the game will tie the record for 41 consecutive Saturday night drawings.
The reason for the jackpot drought is simple. The odds of winning the top prize are a miserable 1 in 292.2 million. It’s the odds that produce big jackpots designed to attract attention and increase sales.
The $1.09 billion prize will go to the only winner, who has made the unusual decision to be paid out over 30 years through an annuity. Instead, nearly all winners chose the cash option, with Wednesday night’s prize money estimated at $527.3 million.
Powerball is played in 45 states, plus Washington, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
