After a delay of more than three hours, Powerball drew the numbers early on Sunday morning for an estimated $1.3 billion prize.
The numbers that were drawn were the red Powerball 9, 22, 27, 44, 52, and 69.
The most recent drawing took place 41 days after the last New Year’s Day jackpot victory. This matches a record for the most draws in a row that was previously set in 2022 and 2021.
The prize has risen to be the eighth largest in U.S. lottery history because winning is so tough due to the enormous odds of 1 in 292.2 million.
This allows the grand prize to rotate three times a week for several months.
The one and only winner will receive an annuity consisting of an initial payment and 29 subsequent annual installments totaling an estimated $1.3 billion.
The cash payout option is nearly always selected by winners, and the estimated $608.9 million would be awarded in Saturday night’s drawing.
In order for one of the organizers to finish necessary steps prior to the planned timing of 10:59 p.m., the drawing on Saturday night was postponed and took place just before 2:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Powerball stated in a statement.
“Powerball game rules require that every single ticket sold nationwide be checked and verified against two different computer systems before the winning numbers are drawn,” the statement said.”This ensures that every Powerball ticket sold is accounted for and has an equal chance of winning. Tonight, we have one jurisdiction that requires additional time to complete its pre-draw process.”
In addition to 45 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C., powerball is played.