Henita May / CC
MADISON, Wis. – Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot is $750 million, the fourth-largest in U.S. lottery history, entering its next drawing. Yet to be won in 2019 after rolling for a 25th-consecutive time on Saturday, the three-quarters of a billion jackpot is at its highest point in 19 months and ranks as the third-largest in Powerball history. “Excitement is sweeping across the state and the nation with the rise of the Powerball jackpot,” said Wisconsin Lottery Director Cindy Polzin. “The $750 million figure is staggering and historically, we’re talking about one of the largest jackpot amounts ever seen in the United States. As sales continue to rise in Wisconsin, our residents benefit from additional funds for prize payouts, property tax credits, and retail compensation.”
Wisconsin recorded over $1.9 million in Powerball sales on Saturday’s draw date alone, its highest single-day performance since New Year’s Day 2018. Across the state, there were 17,583 Powerball transactions per hour, or just under five per second, figures that are more than seven times an average day’s total. During Saturday’s 5-8 p.m. sales peak, there were over 39,000 Powerball transactions per hour, just under 11 per second, statewide. “A jackpot of this magnitude brings out a lot of people,” added Polzin. “We want to remind all players to enjoy the fun, but to play responsibly and within your means.” Last won on Dec. 26 in New York state, the current Powerball jackpot surpassed last fall’s frenzy by nearly $100 million.
TOP 5 ALL-TIME U.S. LOTTERY JACKPOTS
Rk Amount Game Draw Date Winning State(s)
- $1.586 Billion……… Powerball………………. Jan. 13, 2016……… California, Florida, Tennessee
- $1.537 Billion……… Mega Millions…………. Oct. 23, 2018……… South Carolina
- $ 758.7 Million…….. Powerball………………. Aug. 23, 2017……… Massachusetts
- $ 750 Million……. Powerball……………… March 27, 2019…… ???
- $ 687.8 Million…….. Powerball………………. Oct. 27, 2018……… Iowa, New York
Wisconsin has 16 jackpot wins since Powerball’s inception in 1988. The state’s most recent jackpot winner came nearly two years ago to the day when a Milwaukee resident won $156.2 million on March 22, 2017. Powerball also features prizes ranging from $4 to $1 million. Each of the past four drawings dating back to March 13 have included prizes won on tickets sold in Wisconsin. Saturday’s $2 million prize win was the most recent and largest of that span and came on a ticket purchased in Racine.
