Powerball Jackpot Increased to Record $500 Million

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The Powerball jackpot for the Nov. 28 drawing climbed to $500 million Tuesday, the largest Powerball jackpot of all time and the second largest in the world. The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) that operates the game on behalf of 44 participating lotteries, including the Louisiana Lottery, made the announcement Tuesday based on a nationwide surge in sales. Before the increase, the advertised jackpot was $425 million. The cash value of the Nov. 28 jackpot is $327 million.

In Louisiana, Powerball sales for the week beginning Sunday, Nov. 25 total more than $1.7 million and are expected to climb ahead of Wednesday's drawing. The jackpot was last hit on Oct. 3 and Wednesday's drawing is the 16th in the current run, which has produced two $40,000 Powerball with Power Play winners and seven $10,000 winners. All nine winning tickets matched four out of five white ball numbers and the Powerball to win; the $40,000 winners raised their prizes by choosing the Power Play option, which increases any nonjackpot prizes to a set amount.

The most recent Powerball jackpot won in Louisiana was in July 2010 for $85.7 million. The largest Powerball jackpot ever won is $365 million. It was hit in 2006 by a group of co-workers in Nebraska.

In Louisiana, Powerball tickets must be purchased by 9 p.m. the night of the drawing and ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age. For security purposes, the Lottery strongly encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing.