The Powerball jackpot is on the rise, and this weekend, North Carolinians have the chance to win $414 million.

“This is a life changing prize, and we would love to see someone from North Carolina take home the jackpot,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “We’ve had four North Carolinians win a Powerball jackpot so far, and we’re hoping for a fifth.”

The jackpot for Saturday’s drawing is a $414 million annuity worth $247.9 million cash. This is the largest Powerball jackpot of 2019, and the 16th largest Powerball jackpot on record.
What to do if you win
Your first reaction will be to celebrate, but if you do snag the jackpot there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Sign and secure your ticket: If you win, you must sign the back of your original ticket immediately to establish your ownership. Make sure you keep it in a safe place until you decide to claim your prize.
• Get professional advice: It’s a good idea to contact financial and legal advisers to make sure you have a sound plan.
• Take your time: You have 180 days to claim your winnings, which will
give you time to figure out what to do with the money and how it will change your life.

So far, four North Carolinians have won the Powerball jackpot, with wins ranging from $74.5 to $188 million. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

There are nine ways to win playing the game, so don’t forget to check your tickets.

Ticket sales from jackpot games like Powerball make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $650 million a year for education. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.