Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Powerball jackpot rises to $1.8B, second-highest in U.S. history
- Drawing set for Sept. 6 at 10:59 p.m. ET
- NJ players already claimed multiple $1M+ prizes in this run
- Odds of winning jackpot: 1 in 292.2M
The Powerball jackpot continues to climb – now at $1.8 billion for the Sept. 6 drawing, the second-highest prize in U.S. lottery history.
After no winning ticket was drawn Wednesday, the initial figure for Saturday night’s drawing was $1.7 billion. Then on Friday, Powerball officials announced they had increased the estimated jackpot to $1.8 billion.
The winner will get the choice between:
- an annuity – one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments increasing by 5% each year
- a lump sum of an estimated $826.4 million
Both prizes are before taxes.
The buzz is growing here in the Garden State – and nationally – ahead of tomorrow’s night’s drawing, which takes place at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. It will also be streamed on Powerball.com.
“Excitement is building as players look forward to tomorrow night’s drawing for this historic jackpot,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball product group chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “We encourage everyone to play responsibly and take pride in knowing that every $2 ticket also helps support good causes in their community.”
By the numbers
Ever in your favor
- Overall odds of winning a prize:
1 in 24.9 - Odds of winning the jackpot:
1 in 292.2 million
- This will be the 42nd drawing since the last Powerball winner (May 31 in California)
- This run has produced 101 winning tickets worth $1 million or more nationally – and more than 1,000 winning tickets worth $50,000 or more, including several in New Jersey
- Since May 31, 1.6 million New Jersey residents have won prizes, including 50 who have won prizes of at least $50,000:
- four $1 million payouts
- one $300,000
- one $150,000
- five $100,000 payouts
- On Sept. 1, 13 New Jersey players won prizes of at least $50,000, including 2 $1 million winners
- On Sept. 3, eight New Jersey players won $50,000, while one player won $100,000
- Second highest jackpot behind the $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot (Nov. 7, 2022, also in California)
‘A chance to dream’
New Jersey Lottery Executive Director James Carey said, “I love the buzz this jackpot run has created. It underscores just how fun the Lottery can be for our players. It gives us all a chance to dream about ‘what if.’”
Carey reminds players that these games are for fun and entertainment – and that it only takes one ticket to get in the game. The New Jersey Lottery also pointed to its promotion of responsible play through its cooperation with the Council of Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey and by promoting the Council’s helpline number (1-800-GAMBLER) on all Lottery marketing and advertising materials.
Earlier this week as the jackpot continued to surge, Carey did an interview for the NJ Lottery’s YouTube page where he offered some insight about the jackpot:
“Powerball creates lots of winners beyond the jackpot,” said Carey. “Since May, retailers have earned commissions, which have exceeded $4 million, and the contribution to the state from ticket sales is significant and amounts to over $32 million.”
‘Truly historic moment’
Akshay Khanna, founder and CEO of lottery courier Jackpot.com, said Saturday’s $1.8 billion drawing marks a truly historic moment in lottery history.
“It’s currently the second-largest Powerball jackpot to date, trailing only the $2.04 billion draw of November 2022,” Khanna told NJBIZ. “We’ve seen unprecedented demand for the upcoming draw, especially in New Jersey where the most recent Powerball jackpot winner came back in June of 2024.
“At Jackpot.com, we’re honored to make this incredible moment more accessible to lottery players in New Jersey by giving players a way to get in on the action remotely from their phone or desktop.”
In March 2024, the winning ticket for a $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot was purchased at a ShopRite liquor store in Neptune.
“In my seven years (as director), I’ve met six winners of Powerball or Mega Millions jackpots,” said Carey.
What if you win?
And if you do have the winning ticket?
“Whether you take the cash or the annuity depends on your individual situation,” said Carey. “If you’re the winner, you should talk to a financial professional for guidance. Take time to make well-informed decisions.”
Good luck to everyone playing – and dreaming – this weekend.
