$1 billion Powerball jackpot up for grabs Monday night | National

On Halloween, people showed up at stores, grocery stores and gas stations across the country hoping to find their very own treat: a chance to win the massive $1 billion Powerball jackpot.

Among them was Janice Turner, one of a steady stream of people — some in costume — buying Powerball tickets at an outdoor kiosk in midtown Manhattan.

“I hope to be the next billionaire,” Turner said. “I think Halloween will be happy.”

In the same line was Scott Hennion, who was already making plans to win the jackpot.

“I’m definitely going to retire, finish my house, maybe buy another house, maybe buy a couple of nice cars, have a nice vacation,” he said. Travel the world, you know, do whatever I want.”

The jackpot has grown dramatically after no one matched all six numbers in Saturday night’s drawing. this the fifth largest lottery jackpot in US history. The biggest prize was won by a $1.586 Billion Powerball Jackpot in 2016, three ticket holders won.

No one has hit all six numbers since August 3, which is telling how small the chances are jackpot winning odds: 1 in 292.2 million.

Monday’s big jackpot came less than two years after another lottery hit the $1 billion mark. The ticket matches all six numbers drawn on January 22, 2021 in the Mega Millions lottery to win the $1.05 billion jackpot.

Massive lottery jackpots have become more common in recent years as lottery officials have adjusted game rules and ticket prices to increase top prizes. The latest tweak was made in August, when Powerball officials added an extra drawing day — going from two drawings a week to three — in an effort to collect bigger prizes and boost sales.

Although the odds of winning are slim, the chances of someone – or even several players – coming up with the winning numbers are increasing. This is because as the jackpot grows, more people are going to play.

The $1 billion prize is for winners who choose to receive the entire amount in installments over 29 annual payments. Almost all winners choose the smaller cash payout, which for Monday’s drawing will be approximately $497.3 million.

If the winning ticket matches the drawing, the Powerball jackpot starts over at $20 million and continues to grow with each drawing until it is won.

Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as in Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Associated Press video reporter David M. Martin contributed to this report from New York.

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