One of the nation's most popular lotteries now has an astounding $400 million jackpot ready to be won. Powerball's jackpot has been steadily increasing, as no one has won it since a $144.1 million win from a player in Tennessee, according to Reuters.
While the current jackpot is at $400 million, should someone win, the player will be given the money annually in increasing increments over 30 years. Should the ticket holder opt for the immediate lump sum, the jackpot is $244.8 million.
To put this amount to money into perspective, it is more than the gross domestic product of numerous nations, such as Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, according USA Today. The prize money is not just limited to residents of the lottery states. Tourists can visit from other states and even other countries to try and claim the prize.
The draw will be held on Wednesday at 11.59 p.m. ET. If there are still no winners, the next draw will take place on Saturday at the same time, and the jackpot will be even larger.
As the prize is so enormous, states such as Nebraska have had to urge residents to play within their means. "It's important for Nebraska Lottery players to remember that no matter how large the jackpot is, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million," said Acting Lottery Director Jill Marshall, according to 1011. "Your odds of winning remain the same, regardless of how many tickets are purchased or how many people play."
This is the biggest Powerball jackpot since February 2015, when $564.1 million was claimed, according to Reuters. The biggest U.S. lottery jackpot was for Mega Millions, in March 2012. The winnings were $656 million.
