The American Powerball lottery has once again captured global attention as its jackpot skyrocketed to an eye-watering $1.23 billion (£975 million) after no ticket matched all six numbers in Saturday night's drawing.
The winning numbers drawn on April 6th were 22, 27, 44, 52, 69, with the Powerball number 9. Despite thousands of smaller prizes being claimed across various tiers, the grand prize remains unclaimed, pushing the jackpot to its fourth-largest amount in the game's history.
When is the Next Powerball Drawing?
Anticipation builds for the next opportunity to win this life-changing sum. The drawing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10th, at 10:59 PM ET (which is 3:59 AM BST on Thursday, April 11th, for UK viewers).
How Can UK Residents Play?
While the Powerball is a US-based game, enthusiasts in the UK and elsewhere are not excluded from the action. International players can participate through several authorised online lottery messenger services. These services legally purchase official lottery tickets on behalf of customers outside the United States.
If a player wins a smaller prize, the service typically credits the winnings to their online account. For a monumental jackpot win, the company's representatives would assist the winner in the claims process, often involving travel to the specific US state where the ticket was purchased.
A Prize Growing Since January
This billion-dollar rollover is a rare event, last occurring in October. The current jackpot run began after a player in Michigan won a $842.4 million prize on January 1st. Since then, 40 consecutive drawings have passed without a grand prize winner.
The $1.23 billion prize refers to the annuity option, paid out over 29 years. Most winners, however, opt for the cash lump sum, which for the next drawing is estimated at a still-astronomical $595.1 million (£471 million).
As the drawing approaches, the excitement is palpable. Will Wednesday night finally produce a multi-billionaire, or will the jackpot climb even higher into record-breaking territory?
