An estimated $1.4 billion Powerball jackpot will be available Wednesday night, following 40 consecutive drawings without a winner. This prize ranks as the sixth-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history.
The current streak of no grand prize winners began after the last win on May 31. The upcoming drawing will be the 41st since then, just one short of the record for most consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner set last year.
Powerball’s odds of winning the top prize are about 1 in 292.2 million, making it unlikely for players to match all six numbers. Lottery officials point out that smaller prizes have better odds and are awarded more frequently during the three weekly drawings.
The advertised $1.4 billion total is based on an annuity payout over 29 years through 30 payments. Most winners typically choose a lump sum payment instead; for this drawing, that cash option would be approximately $634.3 million.
