Powerball Jackpot Now At $550 Million

The Powerball jackpot has been increased again to $550 million.

The jackpot was sitting at $365 million this weekend but Americans have been buying tickets like crazy for a chance at the record breaking jackpot. Lottery officials said that the jackpot could increase again before tonight’s drawing.

ABC reports that Powerball officials are expecting to sell more than 100,000 tickets every minute before the drawing. Officials predict that more than 189 million tickets will be sold before tonight’s drawing.

The Powerball jackpot has rolled over 16 times since it was last won on October 16. The $550 million jackpot is the largest in Powerball history and the second largest in American history. A $656 million Mega Millions jackpot was given away to three people in March.

Lottery officials said earlier this week that the chances of winning tonight’s drawing are about one in 175 million. Your odds of winning are still the same even though so many people are buying lottery tickets.

Tonight’s drawing will have about double the amount of people fighting for a piece of the $550 million jackpot. Your odds of winning are the same but the odds of sharing the jackpot with another winner have also increased.

Scott Norris, a math professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas,said:

“Your odds of being a winner are still the same. With so many people playing, it does mean are more likely to split the jackpot if you want.”

Did you buy a ticket for the Powerball tonight?