US jackpot tops $900M as lottery fever soars

INQUIRER.net PHOTO

NEW YORK, United States — The largest jackpot in US lottery history has climbed again, to a massive $900 million, as Americans dreaming of a life-changing windfall counted down the hours to Saturday’s eagerly anticipated draw.

The United States is in the grip of lottery fever, with long queues forming outside lottery-ticket vendors — driving up the jackpot ever more — and Americans debating what they would do with such fabulous winnings.

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The Powerball prize skyrocketed from $800 million on Friday, as the excitement built.

The lucky winner will take home an estimated $558 million if they choose a lump-sum cash prize, lottery officials said.

In the Powerball lottery, which takes place each Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 pm (0359 GMT), five white balls are drawn from a drum containing 69 balls, and one red one is pulled from a drum with 26.

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To win the jackpot, a ticket holder has to match all the numbers on the six balls selected. The winner can choose to be paid the full jackpot in annual installments over 29 years — or take a lower one-off payment in cash.

The previous jackpot record of $656 million, in March 30, 2012, was scooped up by three winners from North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Texas.