Powerball players in North Carolina can take a chance this weekend on a $482 million jackpot.

A winner on Saturday could claim the jackpot as a $482 million annuity or $218.9 million in cash.

“As the jackpot continues to grow, the excitement among players grows with it,” said Mark Michalko, chief executive officer of the N.C. Education Lottery. “We are all hoping it culminates with a jackpot winner in North Carolina on Saturday. Good luck.”

Even though the jackpot remains up for grabs, players are taking home lots of other prizes. Wednesday’s Powerball drawing produced 20,678 winning tickets in North Carolina.

North Carolinians also help education programs in the state when they play Powerball. The current Powerball run has raised over $8.7 million for education in North Carolina.

Players can buy Powerball tickets at any lottery retail location, through Online Play on the lottery’s website, www.nclottery.com, or from the NC Lottery Official Mobile App. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million.

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.