Politics & Government

Speak Out: Powerball Jackpot Shoots to $320 Million

The drawing will take place Wednesday for a chance to win the fourth largest Powerball jackpot since 1992.

Who wants to be a millionaire?

The Powerball jackpot bumped up about $20 million today after anticipation built around the jackpot amount, according to a Maryland Lottery official.

Spokeswoman Erica Palmisano said as the jackpot exceeded $300 million this morning, people started buying tickets – causing the payout to shoot up to $320 million and making it the fourth largest Powerball jackpot since it began in 1992.

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“Clearly people are very excited about it,” Palmisano said.

The odds for winning the pot are about 1 in 175 million, she said, and those odds don't change no matter how many people buy tickets. 

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The last time anyone from D.C. won was April 8, 2009. The winners claimed their prize as "Rockson, LLC" and the names of the individuals were not disclosed.

The D.C. Lottery benefits the District's General Fund, which supports resources like education, parks, public safety and more.

D.C. Powerball tickets can be purchased at several Georgetown retailers:

Key Bridge Exxon

The drawing airs Wednesday evening on the local NBC affiliate station at 11:22 p.m.

SPEAK OUT: Would you get a lump sum or annuity? How would you spend it?


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