Amid a historic run, the estimated Powerball jackpot has risen once again to a staggering $1.8 billion, making it the second largest in lottery history.
The projected pot was increased by roughly $100 million in an update on Friday, Sept. 5, less than 48 hours ahead of the next drawing on Saturday, Sept. 6.
After no one won the Wednesday, Sept. 3 drawing, the jackpot was initially earmarked at an estimated $1.7 billion before the increase on Friday.
The only larger jackpot, and the only one to ever eclipse $2 billion, came in November 2022 when the winning ticket was sold in California. The largest-ever Mega Millions jackpot ($1.602 billion in August 2023) was also sold in California.
A sole lucky winner that matches all five numbers and the Powerball can choose a one-time cash payment of $826.4 million. That's before federal taxes and possibly state taxes.
