Florida Lottery Soars: How to Check Winning Numbers and Claim the Next Mega Jackpot

The Florida Lottery is sizzling this week after Monday night’s Powerball drawing produced winning numbers 16-19-34-37-64 with Powerball 22—but no jackpot winner—sending the grand prize to an estimated $815 million for Wednesday, Aug. 27. With ticket sales surging across the Sunshine State, here’s everything players need to know right now: Record-chasing jackpot • If the pot climbs past $842 million, it will crack Powerball’s Top 5 and could threaten the billion-dollar mark seen in recent years. • The lump-sum cash option for Wednesday stands at roughly $380 million before taxes. Where and when to watch • Powerball drawings stream live at 11 p.m. ET Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays on Powerball.com and air on select Florida TV stations. • Sales cut off at 10 p.m. ET on draw nights; retailers recommend buying by 9:45 p.m. to avoid last-minute lines. Latest Florida Lottery results at a glance • Florida Lotto: No winner Saturday; jackpot rolls to $29 million for Wednesday. • Mega Millions: Tuesday’s pot resets to $20 million after a Michigan ticket hit $1.326 billion earlier this month. • Cash4Life: A Brevard County ticket matched five white balls Sunday for $1,000 a week for life. • Fantasy 5 midday (Aug 25): 01-07-14-25-29; evening: 04-08-19-22-34. Odds and payout basics • Powerball jackpot odds: 1 in 292.2 million. Overall odds of winning any prize: 1 in 24.9. • Florida gives winners 180 days to claim; choose the cash option within the first 60 days. Prizes ≥ $250,000 are shielded from automatic public release for 90 days, but winners cannot stay anonymous permanently under state law. How to check tickets fast 1. Scan the barcode with the official Florida Lottery mobile app. 2. Visit floridalottery.com for nightly uploads of all game results. 3. Enable email alerts so winning numbers land in your inbox minutes after the draw. Hot retailers & lucky streaks Publix and 7-Eleven locations have produced eight seven-figure wins since June, led by Port St. Lucie’s Peacock Liquor, which sold a $2 million Power Play ticket in May. Convenience chains report up to a 40 % spike in lottery traffic whenever the jackpot tops $600 million. Tax talk • Federal withholding: 24 % immediately, with another 13 % potentially due at tax time. • Florida has no state income tax, but out-of-state players pay taxes where they live. • Consider forming a legal trust before claiming; the 90-day privacy window is the best time to set up advisers. Smart-play tips • Skip consecutive numbers; only one Powerball jackpot since 2015 included back-to-back digits. • Join an office pool to improve odds without overspending—just sign a written agreement to avoid disputes. • Always sign the back of the ticket immediately; unsigned slips are considered bearer instruments. Next steps for players 1. Grab tickets early Wednesday to dodge after-work rush. 2. Set a spending limit—lottery funds support Florida education, but never gamble more than you can afford. 3. Tune in at 11 p.m. for the live drawing; if the jackpot rolls again, Friday’s Mega Millions could provide a billion-dollar doubleheader heading into Labor Day weekend. Bottom line Florida Lottery fever is at a summer peak, and every rollover piles on more prize money, more ticket buyers and more excitement. Whether you’re chasing Wednesday’s $815 million Powerball, tonight’s Fantasy 5, or simply scratching for quick cash, keep tickets safe, play responsibly, and check those numbers—because in Florida, any $2 slip could turn into a life-changing payday.