(WWJ/AP) Strong sales boosted a Powerball jackpot to an estimated $1.6 billion on Friday, making it the largest lottery prize in history.
A drawing will be held Saturday night for the Powerball prize, which hasn’t been won in more than three months. That string of 39 consecutive drawings without a winner is a reflection of the tough odds of winning a jackpot, at 1 in 292.2 million.
The advertised jackpot is the prize for a winner who chooses an annuity, paid annually over 29 years. Almost all winners instead opt for the cash prize, which for Saturday night’s drawing would be an estimated $782.4 million.
The new jackpot tops the previous record prize of $1.586 billion won in 2016 by three Powerball players in California, Florida and Tennessee.
Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Saturday’s drawing will be the 40th drawing since the jackpot was last won on Aug. 3.
During the current jackpot run, Michigan Lottery official say seven Michigan players have won a $1 million prize:
■ Aug. 24 – Meijer gas station, located at 8994 Shaver Road in Portage
■ Sept. 24 – Otsego Party Store, located at 629 South Farmer Street in Otsego
■ Oct. 19 – Fast Freddie’s, located at 2245 Main Street in Ubly
■ Oct. 26 – Charaf Oil Inc, located at 7000 Greenfield Road in Dearborn
■ Oct. 29 – New Buffalo Shell, located at 18913 Laporte Road in New Buffalo
■ Oct. 29 – Billy’s Liquor Depot II, located at 27222 Grand River Avenue in Redford
■ Oct. 31 – CVS Pharmacy, located at located at 626 West Front Street in Traverse City
The last Michigan player to win a Powerball jackpot was Cristy Davis, of Waterford. Davis won the game’s $70 million jackpot on Feb. 12, 2020.
A $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot currently holds the record for the largest prize ever won in Michigan. That prize was won in January 2021 by an Oakland County lottery club, and is the fourth largest prize won of all time.
Lottery retailers are selling Powerball tickets until 9:45 p.m. Saturday. Tickets also may be purchased online at MichiganLottery.com..
The Powerball drawing takes place at 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Hear the winning numbers on WWJ Newsradio 950, or watch the drawing live online this link.
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