The anticipation reached a fever pitch as the Powerball jackpot numbers were revealed on Wednesday evening, with the grand prize soaring to a staggering $1.26 billion. As hopeful participants clutched their tickets, the numbers 26, 66, 33, 53, 62, and a Powerball of 17 were drawn, accompanied by a Power Play multiplier of 4x.

Despite the monumental prize, the draw concluded with no tickets matching all numbers, allowing the jackpot to climb even higher. However, luck did strike elsewhere. Two fortunate ticket holders from Arizona and California matched all five white balls, each securing a commendable $1 million prize. Further adding to the excitement, Powerball officials reported 43 tickets claiming $50,000 and another 14 winning $200,000 each.

This latest draw marks the second occasion this year that the jackpot has surpassed the billion-dollar mark, highlighting a growing trend in recent years. Indeed, it is the 12th time in five years that Powerball has reached such dizzying heights.

Earlier in September, the lottery realm was abuzz when a colossal $1.787 billion jackpot was claimed. The prize, pre-tax, was split between two winners from Missouri and Texas. Opting for the popular lump sum payout, they each received $410 million before taxes, a decision frequently made by lottery victors.

This is the second jackpot to hit at least $1 billion this year and the 12th to cross the $1 billion threshold in the past five years.

The largest jackpot this year was in September, and was valued at $1.787 billion before taxes. That went to two winners from Missouri and Texas who split the prize. They took the lump sum, $410 million before taxes, and other lottery winners have done the same.

“Powerball has only seen back-to-back to billion-dollar jackpots twice, and this one has arrived just in time for the holidays,” said Matt Strawn, Iowa Lottery CEO and Powerball Product Group Chair. “While it’s exciting to see the jackpot climb to this level, please remember to play responsibly. A single $2 ticket gives you a chance to win, while also supporting good causes in your community.”

Whether winners actually take an advertised jackpot value depends on how they choose to be paid. The estimated $1.1 billion offered in Monday’s drawing would have come only if a winner opted for 30 escalating installments – which lotteries offer through an annuity accounting for interest – over 29 years.

Otherwise, a winner could choose a lump sum representing what’s in the actual jackpot pool on the day of the drawing, which in Wednesday’s drawing is an estimated $572.1 million.

The odds of winning Powerball’s jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

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