Powerball jackpot has surged to a staggering $1 billion after Wednesday night’s drawing failed to produce a grand prize winner, lottery officials announced Thursday.
The winning numbers drawn Wednesday were 10, 16, 29, 33, 69 and red Powerball 22, with a Powerplay multiplier of 3X. Despite millions of tickets sold across the country, not a single player managed to match all six numbers required to claim what was then a $930 million prize, as confirmed by lottery officials.
Dream big, but understand the odds. At 1 in 292.2 million, your chances of hitting the jackpot are astronomically slim — you’re more likely to be struck by lightning or become a movie star. Still, the minuscule probability hasn’t stopped millions from purchasing tickets as the prize has climbed to the billion-dollar threshold.
When’s the next drawing?
Lottery enthusiasts will have their next shot at the life-changing sum on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 10:59 p.m. ET. “The grand total to an even $1 billion. That’s a cash value over $461 million,” lottery officials noted in their announcement following Wednesday’s results.
For those considering trying their luck, tickets remain $2 each and can be purchased in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Many retailers sell tickets until 10:00 p.m. on drawing nights, though exact cutoff times vary by location and state regulations, lottery officials explained.
The three-times-weekly drawings have become something of a national ritual for many Americans. Each Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. ET, lottery officials conduct the drawings, which are livestreamed on the Powerball website for those wanting to watch their fortunes unfold in real-time.
Billion-dollar dreams
This isn’t the first time the Powerball jackpot has reached such stratospheric heights. In recent years, lottery officials have modified the game’s odds, making it harder to win the top prize but resulting in more frequent massive jackpots that drive ticket sales.
Winners face a crucial decision: take the reduced lump sum payment of approximately $461 million (before taxes) or opt for the full billion paid out over 29 years. Financial advisors typically recommend consulting with tax professionals before making such a consequential choice.
Despite the nearly impossible odds, the allure of sudden, transformative wealth continues to drive Americans to convenience stores and gas stations across the country. As one convenience store clerk in Atlanta put it, “A two-dollar dream is still the cheapest escape money can buy.”
