Jackpot Increased: Powerball now half a billion dollars

January 6, 2016 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:36 AM

As anticipation grows for Wednesday’s Powerball drawing, so has the size of the jackpot – which now stands at a $500 million annuity worth $306 million cash.

It is exciting to kick off the New Year in a big way with a big jackpot. But remember: It only takes one ticket to win.

Four North Carolina players have beaten the odds to win jackpots of $74.5 million to $188 million. But there is more than just the jackpot to play for. Nationally, 316 prizes of $1 million or $2 million have been won in the past year.

Depending on how the balls bounce, the jackpot on the line Saturday could eclipse the game’s record amount of $590.5 million set in May 2013.

Are you "in it to win it?"

79 COMMENTS

1/07/2016 06:49 - jamila n.

one day i will win ,I'm from africa i promise 100 of people when i win il make there life better and they keeping asking me every single day :-( and il give united nation for all refugees over the world

1/07/2016 06:39 - Jonathan C.

I think adjusting the odds and allowing 500 millionaires versus 1 jackpot winner would be more encouraging. You have better odds of being struck by lighting or a asteroid then winning a jackpot. 1 in 250 million is depressing.

1/07/2016 05:50 - deborah c.

I am next in line to win me some money I hope someone from north carolina win it this time

1/07/2016 05:40 - Vanessa N.

Well maybe I just might win something Sat. Sent I had such hard times lakely. Big wish

1/07/2016 04:51 - Nicholas r.

I really hope i win a portion of it! If i won the whole jackpot i would help my comunity out in everyway i could! Starting with the nicest rehab resort and let the first 2000 people in for free!! I would enjoy helping others way more than buying new cars/ binggy crap!

1/07/2016 04:23 - Tawana M.

Praying for a win...a little something is better than nothing. But for whomever wins just please spend it wisely and dont donate half the winnings to the courts(bailing people out of jail), give it to the churches and charities!!

1/07/2016 03:51 - jason b.

While sitting in the ER one night at 2am watching babies and little children crying in pain and being made to sit in hard chairs waiting to see a doctor i knew then that if i won millions i would build a childrens hospital in Jacksonville nc that would see them asap day or night and with comfort in mind

1/07/2016 12:52 - charles i.

I am going already going to thank God for blessing me with winning the jackpot. Thank you dear lord.

1/07/2016 12:41 - Vera J.

I need to win!!!

1/07/2016 12:34 - Tina H.

Prayn for this financial blessing,

1/07/2016 12:06 - Bruce E.

If I win the first check I would write would go to ST. Jude's children's hospital to help find a cure for cancer to help those deserving children, no child should have to go thru life fighting to survive

1/07/2016 12:05 - Demetria B.

Lord please bless me.....I really needed it right now!!!!

1/06/2016 11:56 - kandis M.

Oh please let it be us

1/06/2016 11:46 - steven s.

It's God's will

1/06/2016 11:42 - Donald Y.

Lets all go party some where warm

1/06/2016 11:30 - Angelika c E.

I was So close off by one on each lottery numbers still haven't won but I pray I WILL SOON.

1/06/2016 11:29 - Brenda H.

Good luck everyone

1/06/2016 11:28 - Garry L.

If I win, I would give the money to my family...and STILL deploy to Afghanistan.

1/06/2016 11:18 - Reba b.

When will the winning number be posted?

1/06/2016 11:18 - RD F.

I hope my numbers come out. Playing for so long and never come out on top. This is my jackpot to make this year the best.

1/06/2016 11:00 - Rita Q.

May God bless the winner with Wisdom!!!

1/06/2016 10:52 - Sean T.

I, would like to donate funds to scientific reasearch, that further the progression of deep space exploration, and, or, to the technological advancement of "nano solutions" for the biological preservation of man.

1/06/2016 10:45 - melva s.

I'm the needy not the greedy, just lemme have a corner! I'm in...good luck pb players

1/06/2016 10:40 - Jeremy R.

Money cant buy happiness? Have you ever seen someone frowning on a jetski?

1/06/2016 10:20 - BIlly H.

I hope that I win tonight

1/06/2016 10:16 - Melissa M.

As a single parent of 3 girls this would make a difference in our life

1/06/2016 10:08 - Jasmine D.

If I win everybody wins

1/06/2016 09:59 - Crystal R.

My motto for 2016, It's my time!!! Would most definitely give back to my community!!

1/06/2016 09:40 - Ms Xzavier C.

Super excited!... you have to be in it to win it! Happy Winnings to all.

1/06/2016 09:32 - Debbie C.

Tonight is my night!!! I will be the winner!!!

1/06/2016 09:20 - charles w.

It's my time and my season good luck to everyone

1/06/2016 09:20 - Michael d.

God bless all and good luck

1/06/2016 09:16 - Willie M.

If god willing I will win and I will be able go see my grandorter and do all the thing she needs

1/06/2016 09:12 - Chandrea R.

Waiting to win!

1/06/2016 09:08 - Karen D.

Oh, yes! I would pay off all debt and put the rest to work promoting health and happiness for children and adults in all of NC! Prayers and positive energy for us all :o) And just in case, Good Luck!

1/06/2016 09:01 - Brittany B.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! ID BE FINE WITH 250,000 AND YOU COULD SEND IT DIRECTLY TO WELLS FARGO AND PAY OFF MY MORTGAGE! LOL

1/06/2016 08:55 - Sean T.

Paradise.

1/06/2016 08:31 - Jeannine W.

IT WOULD BE A BLESSING OF A LIFETIME, NOT ONLY FOR MY HOUSEHOLD BUT FAMILY AND FRIENDS NEAR AND DEAR.

1/06/2016 08:21 - Kevin S.

Money in this amount can help you, are make you miserable. If you do win, don't blame God cause he might not had any thing to do with it. I would be grateful to win 2500.00 to help with my new contract job.

1/06/2016 08:10 - Julian V.

espero poder ayudar a mucha gente con este dinero. espero tambien que se lo ganen y hagan un bien para la comunidad. ayudar a los nesecitados. ayudar la gente con ayuda medica. que tengan un buen dia. ????

1/06/2016 08:08 - Leonard H.

Please please let my numbers be the lucky numbers

1/06/2016 07:58 - lisa p.

Probably have a better chance of winning the powerball than finding a winning scratchoff ticket these days! Wouldnt you guys at the NCEL rather make a lot of people happy by letting them win sometimes on scratchoffs instead of just making a couple of people happy? It would encourage more people to play if you would give more back on the ticket sales. Lousy payouts don't bring customers back. Just saying.

1/06/2016 07:32 - Jerry M.

What ever happens, Happens. I am just glad to be alive. This is the first Power Ball I have ever bought.

1/06/2016 07:26 - James S.

Good luck everyone!!!

1/06/2016 07:12 - Brenda M.

IF I Win My whole family would be blessed. But I be even happy if I won with other people.

1/06/2016 06:58 - lloyd f.

its my turn to win this thing 2 try

1/06/2016 06:57 - Isalene J.

Lord I need this have played ever power ball mega Million scratch off never nothing Can`t keep doing this never to win

1/06/2016 06:51 - allan g.

im in and if i win alot of people animals and charities are gonna benefit thank you lord

1/06/2016 06:12 - gina r.

What time is drawing

1/06/2016 06:10 - Vicki H.

in it to win it

1/06/2016 06:06 - Rodney M.

You all give me a good laugh. Whoever is supposed to win will. Blessings and good luck or curse as money is a two edge sword.

1/06/2016 05:56 - Amanda R.

Would be nice to win a little bit of this. Pay bills then set up an account for my kids to better their educations. **fingers crossed**

1/06/2016 05:55 - William D.

Agree with Lance Share with 500 or even 1,000 people would be a nice chunk of change for anyone. Dreams do come true, just have to be positive. Luck to us all in North Carolina, may we all be blessed.

1/06/2016 05:44 - alvina w.

I live poorly and I can't buy them but $1.00 things my daughter has 2 jobs to take care of 5 kids all together I have 17 grandkids, can't afford to buy any of them.

1/06/2016 05:15 - Margaret W.

I got this!

1/06/2016 05:11 - James T.

If it's the lord's will, then I should prosper in 2016 to all my family and friends luv you all!!

1/06/2016 04:58 - Alice C.

I'm not asking or praying to win the jackpot. I would be grateful to win enough to get my daughters and I out of debt. In Jesus Name! AMEN

1/06/2016 04:22 - Charanda C.

I hope I would be lucky enough to win. It if I ever did I would bless my family plus the less fouture as well ....!!!!!

1/06/2016 03:56 - LeShania D.

Grateful!

1/06/2016 03:53 - Andrew M.

1/06/2016 03:38 - myra c.

Good Luck to my fellow North Carolinaians!! I guess I will win when I least expect to win. I will still anxiously await the drawing tonight..maybe I will be one of many to win!

1/06/2016 03:34 - Connie M.

#BeABlessing?? if I won just a #SmallPieceOfPie?? Would definitely #PaySomeForward?? #NotGreedy

1/06/2016 03:27 - John K.

I claim it in the LORD'S name! Our lord Jesus Christ will shine for me cause, i promised to help the needed. Lord, please help me so as to help others in need. Amen

1/06/2016 03:10 - LINDA S.

THIS TIME ITS MY TURN TO WIN THE JACKPOT!!!!

1/06/2016 03:10 - john o.

If I would win,I would build houses for those who can not afford to own one. Please help me to help others with a win

1/06/2016 03:00 - david g.

Oh Lord bless me

1/06/2016 02:44 - jb b.

I will blessed!

1/06/2016 02:39 - Steven H.

I got this....thank you in advance God

1/06/2016 02:39 - Dennis C.

I just hope a deserving North Carolinian wins it.

1/06/2016 02:29 - lisa p.

I thought you may have paid attention to other people complaining 2015 was bad 2016 is even crazier just admit it your all out for the money just take take take no give give giveNC Lottery
Last year we awarded $1.23 billion in prizes, earned $522 million for education, and paid $137.7 million to local retailers :-)

1/06/2016 02:12 - Lance N.

Just give 1 million to 500 different people i would be satisfied LOL or just give me the whole 500 million ! Money can't buy happiness but I'd like to go to all the place 500 million would take me looking for it haha ! Good luck everyone

1/06/2016 02:07 - Andrew R.

I would be happy with a hundred bucks.

1/06/2016 01:43 - Leondres J.

Just hoping this will be a great new year!!! I didn't want to play,but what the neck anything is possible!!!

1/06/2016 01:16 - Lloyd S.

Play to win ,no play no win !

1/06/2016 01:08 - Rachal M.

I could bless my family so much with this!! Also a few worthy charities!!

1/06/2016 12:23 - James G.

I'm in it to win, most definitely. Had I played the numbers that I got from a fortune cookie for the drawing on last Saturday, I would have at least got 2 white balls and the powerball number!

1/06/2016 12:14 - Linwood S.

Wish I could .This money would make my life and my family life a lot better..

1/06/2016 12:02 - Shantell B.

I'm claiming it in advance, thank you lord for my blessings

1/06/2016 11:51 - surendra r.

Have been playing for last l8 years in Carolinas & Georgia. Maximum I have won $900.00. Otherwise have won small amounts and free tickets!!! May be I am lucky in the year 2016.

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Jackpot Increased: Powerball now half a billion dollars

January 6, 2016 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:36 AM

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