SEATTLE – A Powerball jackpot exceeding $1 billion has ignited a surge in ticket sales across Western Washington, offering players a life-altering prize as the Labor Day weekend approaches.
The jackpot, estimated at $1 billion before taxes, is the sixth-largest in Powerball history. The largest jackpot ever reached $2 billion, won by a single ticket holder in California in 2022.
SaturdayS drawing presents a choice for any single winner: 30 annual payments totaling $1 billion, or a lump-sum payment of $453 million.
The odds of matching all six numbers remain extremely challenging, at 1 in 292.2 million.
Despite the long odds, local residents are embracing the possibility. “You can’t win if you don’t buy it. You might as well just buy one just in case. You never know,” said Rafael Romero after purchasing a ticket.
The jackpot has grown steadily since the last winning ticket was drawn on May 31st. Players are already envisioning how they would spend the winnings.
“All I know is I would probably stop working for awhile until I found something I could do that I’m passionate about. That would be nice,” said John Olsen, a local resident.
Others have more practical plans. “Buy a house for sure. invest for retirement, and that’s it pretty much,” Romero added.
At $2 per ticket, many see the purchase as a worthwhile gamble. “Not that expensive. I do it occasionally. If it happens, great, awesome. It would be life changing,” Olsen said.
The Powerball drawing is scheduled for saturday night, potentially delivering a Labor Day weekend windfall for one lucky Washingtonian.