POWERBALL Jackpot Crosses Half-Billion-Dollar Mark

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The estimated annuity jackpot for tonight’s POWERBALL game has surpassed the half-billion-dollar mark and now stands at $508 million for the October 19 drawing. The estimated cash value is $256.3 million.

This is the second time this year that the Powerball jackpot has climbed beyond a half-billion dollars. On January 5, a $632.6 million jackpot was shared by winners in California and Wisconsin.

The Powerball jackpot was last hit August 3, for $206.9 million by a winner in Pennsylvania. Since then, there have been 33 game draws without a jackpot winner.

In 2021, the District of Columbia had two one-million-dollar winners. On New Year’s Day, Carlos Mabry of Washington, D.C. learned of his $1 million win with POWERBALL’s First Millionaire of the Year promotion live on-air along with millions of viewers watching ABC’s broadcast of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest. Then in August 2021, Eric Semasa Mele claimed a $1 million Powerball win with a ticket purchased in Northwest, D.C.

Powerball tickets are $2 per play. For $1 more, players can add Power Play for an opportunity to increase their winnings. Powerball tickets can be purchased at all DC Lottery retail locations and online. Drawings occur every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.

Proceeds from the sale of DC Lottery games are transferred to the District of Columbia’s General Fund in support of essential city services. Since its inception in 1982, the DC Lottery has transferred more than $2.3 billion to the city.

DC Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their tickets. Game tickets are bearer instruments. The signer is the presumed owner and designated winner.

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The DC Lottery generates revenue for the District of Columbia through the sale of innovative lottery and sports wagering products while providing gaming regulation and oversight. Since its inception in 1982, the DC Lottery has awarded more than $4.4 billion in prizes, transferred more than $2.3 billion to the District’s General Fund which supports essential services in the District of Columba, commissioned more than $473 million to Lottery retailers, and has helped local nonprofits raise more than $135 million in support of charitable causes.

Release ID: 22-001