After a Monday night draw that left no one holding the top prize, the Powerball jackpot has swelled to an estimated $1.7 billion, setting the stage for a record-breaking 47th consecutive drawing.
Jackpot Rollover
The Monday drawing, estimated at $1.6 billion, produced no match for all six numbers. Because no ticket matched the winning combination-3, 18, 36, 41, 54 with a red Powerball of 7-the prize will roll over again. The extra $100 million added to the pot is part of the regular jackpot increase that occurs when a drawing produces no winner. With the rollover, the jackpot climbs to its current $1.7 billion estimate, the fourth-largest in Powerball history.
Winning Numbers
The numbers drawn on Monday were 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 and a red Powerball of 7. The Power Play multiplier for that drawing was 2×, meaning any Power Play winners would receive double the base prize for their match tier. Although no ticket matched all six numbers, the numbers themselves are now part of the official record for that week’s draw.
Secondary Prizes
While the top prize remains untouched, several players still walked away with substantial winnings. Tickets that matched five white balls earned $1 million each. Those winning tickets were sold in the following states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York (two winners), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. No other prize tiers were mentioned for this particular drawing.
Historical Context
The Wednesday drawing will mark the 47th consecutive drawing in this jackpot cycle, extending the current record of 42 consecutive drawings. The $1.7 billion jackpot has already made it the fourth-largest ever in Powerball history and places it among the biggest prizes across all U.S. lottery games. The record-setting streak began after the previous jackpot winner left the prize at $1.6 billion, and the prize has been rolling over each week since.
Legal and Tax Considerations
If a ticket matches all five white balls plus the red Powerball, the winner faces a choice between an annuity and a lump-sum payment. The annuity option would pay out an estimated $1.6 billion over 30 years. The lump-sum option would provide an estimated $735.3 million upfront. Regardless of the choice, federal taxes and, in most jurisdictions, state taxes will reduce the final amount received.
Ticket Options and Power Play
Powerball tickets cost $2 each. Adding the Power Play option, which can multiply winnings by two, three, four, five, or ten times, adds an extra $1 to the ticket price. Power Play is available on all three weekly drawings-Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The game is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with each state’s lottery organization handling ticket sales.
Attorney Andrew Stoltmann
Attorney Andrew Stoltmann, who has represented 12 lottery winners, has highlighted the legal pitfalls that can arise. “Unfortunately, the people who win the lottery think at that point, the journey is over. And what they don’t realize is that the journey has really just begun,” says the Chicago-based Stoltmann. He has also pointed out that some of the most vicious legal fights over the lottery stem from office lotto pools gone wrong. Stoltmann’s experience underscores the importance of understanding both the financial and legal responsibilities that come with a big win.
Recent Winners
The most recent jackpot win on September 6 saw tickets in Missouri and Texas share a $1.787 billion grand prize, the second-largest in Powerball history. That win set a new benchmark for the size of a shared jackpot and highlighted the rarity of a $1.7 billion prize.
Key Takeaways
- The Powerball jackpot has risen to $1.7 billion after Monday’s draw, rolling over for a record 47th consecutive drawing.
- Winning numbers were 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 with a red Powerball of 7, and the Power Play multiplier was 2×.
- Five-number winners received $1 million each; tickets sold in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
- Winners choosing the annuity would receive $1.6 billion over 30 years; the lump-sum option is $735.3 million, both subject to federal and state taxes.
- Ticket cost is $2, with an optional $1 Power Play that can multiply prizes up to ten times.
The ongoing jackpot cycle continues to capture the imagination of players nationwide, while legal and tax considerations remind winners that a life-changing prize comes with significant responsibilities.
