Powerball Frenzy: How Last-Minute Lottery Tickets Could Turn $2 into $500 Million Tonight

Two tickets sold in Missouri and Texas have matched all six numbers to claim the eye-watering $1.787 billion Powerball jackpot drawn on Saturday night, September 6, 2025, the second-largest prize in U.S. lottery history. The lucky winners will now choose between the advertised annuity—paid in 30 graduated installments over 29 years—or a one-time cash option worth roughly $820.6 million before taxes. Record-Breaking Run Comes to an End The jackpot had been rolling since July 23, when a California ticket snagged $138 million. Over 30 drawings without a grand-prize winner sent ticket sales surging nationwide, boosting the top prize well past the previous $1.326 billion mark set in April 2024. According to the Multi-State Lottery Association, Saturday’s drawing produced more than 11 million winning tickets across all prize tiers, including eight $2 million Power Play winners and 18 $1 million Match-5 winners. When Is the Next Powerball Drawing? Powerball resets to its starting jackpot of $20 million for the next draw on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 10:59 p.m. ET. Tickets cost $2 each, with an optional $1 Power Play that can multiply non-jackpot prizes up to 10× when the advertised jackpot is below $150 million. Where and How to Buy Lottery Tickets • In-Store: Tickets are available at more than 48,000 authorized retailers in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. • Online: Many states now allow secure digital purchases through official lottery apps or partners such as Jackpocket and Lotto.com. Purchase cut-off times vary by jurisdiction, so check local rules before the drawing. • Multidraw Options: Most outlets let players purchase tickets for up to 10 consecutive drawings in advance—a smart move if you don’t want to miss the next billion-dollar run. Odds of Winning the Powerball Jackpot The odds of matching all five white balls plus the red Powerball remain 1 in 292.2 million, no matter how high the jackpot climbs. However, the overall odds of winning any prize are a more favorable 1 in 24.9. Smaller prizes start at $4 for matching just the Powerball and can reach $2 million with Power Play for matching all five white balls. Top Five Powerball Jackpots 1. $2.04 billion – November 7, 2022 – California 2. $1.787 billion – September 6, 2025 – Missouri, Texas 3. $1.765 billion – October 11, 2023 – California 4. $1.586 billion – January 13, 2016 – California, Florida, Tennessee 5. $1.326 billion – April 6, 2024 – Oregon What to Do if You Win 1. Sign the back of the ticket immediately. 2. Make digital and physical copies for records. 3. Consult a qualified attorney, tax professional and financial adviser before presenting the ticket at lottery headquarters. 4. Keep your win as private as state law allows—some jurisdictions permit anonymity or claim through a trust. 5. Decide between the annuity and lump-sum cash payment before the claim deadline (usually 60–180 days). Tax Considerations Federal withholding on lottery prizes over $5,000 is 24%. The top federal marginal rate is 37%, so additional taxes are likely when you file. State taxes range from 0% in jurisdictions like Florida and Texas to more than 10% in New York. Winners outside the U.S. may face their own national tax withholdings. Tips for Responsible Play • Set a budget: Treat lottery tickets like entertainment, not an investment strategy. • Avoid “hot number” myths: Each drawing is random; numbers from previous drawings have no predictive value. • Check tickets carefully: Millions in secondary prizes go unclaimed every year. • Seek help: If gambling stops being fun, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Bottom Line The historic $1.787 billion jackpot underscores Americans’ enduring fascination with lottery tickets, and Monday’s reset offers a clean slate for anyone hoping lightning strikes twice. Whether you grab a Quick Pick at the corner store or order tickets from your phone, remember that the best strategy is responsible play—because the real jackpot is staying in control while chasing the dream.