The hunt for a billion-dollar fortune continues as Wednesday night's Powerball draw failed to produce a grand prize winner, sending the jackpot soaring to an estimated $1.3 billion ahead of the next drawing.
The Numbers That Could Have Made You a Millionaire
While nobody matched all six numbers to claim the massive jackpot, the winning combination from the September 18th draw was:
- White Balls: 11, 26, 27, 44, 61
- Powerball: 5
- Power Play: 2X
Secondary Winners Still Celebrating
Although the top prize remains unclaimed, the lottery did create several new millionaires. Four fortunate players matched all five white balls without the Powerball, each securing a $1 million prize. Two of these winning tickets were sold in Florida, with additional winners in Pennsylvania and Texas.
An additional nine players won $100,000 each by matching four white balls plus the Powerball, while countless others scored smaller prizes ranging from $4 to $50,000.
What Happens Next in the Powerball Frenzy?
The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for Saturday, September 21st, at 10:59 PM ET. The estimated $1.3 billion jackpot represents the eighth-largest prize in Powerball history and continues a winning streak that began after the last jackpot was won in Oregon on August 3rd.
Lottery officials confirm that the winner can choose between an annuitized prize of $1.3 billion paid over 30 years or a lump-sum payment of approximately $608.9 million before taxes.
Record-Breaking Lottery Mania
This current jackpot run has captured national attention, with ticket sales skyrocketing as the prize amount continues to climb. The excitement reflects a growing trend of massive lottery jackpots that have become increasingly common in recent years due to changes in the game's odds and pricing structure.
Powerball is played in 45 states across America, plus Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, making it one of the most widely accessible lottery games in the country.
