No one has hit all six numbers since Aug. 3, a testament to how slim the odds are of winning the jackpot: 1 in 292.2 million.
WASHINGTON — Halloween was the perfect time for Americans to find themselves an exclusive treat: a chance to win the massive $1 billion Powerball jackpot on Monday night.
The jackpot soared after no one matched all six numbers in Saturday night’s drawing. With a jackpot of $1 billion, it is the second-largest Powerball jackpot ever and fifth-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. The biggest prize was a $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot won by three ticketholders in 2016.
Mondays’s winning numbers were 13-19-36-39-59, Powerball 13 and Powerplay 3.
No one has hit all six numbers since Aug. 3, a testament to how slim the odds are of winning the jackpot: 1 in 292.2 million.
Over the past few years, huge lottery jackpots have become more common as lottery officials have changed the rules and ticket prices to boost top prizes. The latest tweak came in August, when Powerball officials added a third drawing day to the weekly schedule to pump prizes and sales.
Although the odds of winning are slim, there is a growing likelihood someone – or even multiple players – will hit the winning number. As the jackpot grows, more people play.
Powerball jackpot winners have the option of receiving an annuity payment, paid over 29 years, or a lump sum payment. Nearly all winners opt for a lower cash payment, which for Monday’s Halloween drawing would be an estimated $497.3 million.
Once a winning ticket matches the drawing, the Powerball jackpot starts over again at $20 million and continues to grow each drawing until it is won.
Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.