Record Jackpot: Powerball Jackpot Hits $900 Million for Saturday Night’s Drawing

Michigan Lottery PowerballThe largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history has hit $900 million and is up for grabs in tonight’s Powerball drawing. The cash option for the jackpot is $558 million.

All eyes have been on the skyrocketing jackpot, which has grown by $400 million after no one won in Wednesday night’s drawing.

The previous record for a U.S. lottery jackpot was $656 million. That Mega Millions jackpot was won on March 30, 2012, and split between three winning tickets (Kansas, Illinois, and Maryland).

The former record Powerball jackpot was $590.5 million, won on May 18, 2013, by Gloria C. Mackenzie, of Zephyrhills, Fla. Powerball ticket sales began April 19, 1992. Michigan began selling Powerball tickets on Jan. 31, 2010.

Powerball was a lucrative game for Michigan Lottery players in 2015. In September, Julie Leach, of Three Rivers, won the game’s $310.5 million jackpot. In addition to Leach’s jackpot, four players won the game’s $1 million prize last year.

The largest Powerball jackpot ever won in Michigan was won on Aug. 15, 2012, by Donald Lawson, of Lapeer. Lawson won a $337 million Powerball jackpot that holds the record for the largest Lottery prize ever won in Michigan.

Players have plenty of time to purchase tickets for tonight’s drawing. Lottery retailers throughout the state are selling Powerball tickets for the drawing until 9:45 p.m.

Powerball plays may be purchased for $2 each at Lottery retailers across the state. A “Power Play” option that multiplies non-jackpot prizes by up to five times may be added to any Powerball play for only $1.

The Powerball drawing takes place at 10:59 p.m. and may be watched live online at: http://www.powerballlive.com/powerball. Powerball tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington D.C., U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

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