Feb. 11 Powerball® Jackpot Rises to $325 Million, Tickets Sell Briskly
Middletown – The Feb. 11 Powerball jackpot is now an estimated annuity value of $325 million and a $202.9 million cash prize – the largest cash jackpot in the game’s history. Strong sales inspired the jackpot changes made this afternoon by Powerball officials.
“We are thrilled to see this jackpot rise from $310 million to $325 million,” said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Todd Rucci. “The changes to Powerball have helped this large jackpot grow quickly, and we’re hoping to see a Pennsylvania player win that prize Saturday night.”
Pennsylvania sales for this jackpot run, which began on Dec. 28, 2011, reached $44.4 million as of 1 p.m. on Friday. With approximately 30 cents of each dollar going to support programs for older Pennsylvanians, this translates into $13.3 million for the Lottery Fund.
At 1:15 p.m. Friday, Pennsylvania sales for Powerball and Power Play were running at $6,823 per minute.
Tickets for this Powerball drawing will be available until 9:59 p.m. Saturday at more than 9,000 Lottery retailers statewide. Because demand for tickets will continue to rise until tomorrow night’s drawing, players are advised to purchase tickets early to avoid the last-minute rush.
The Lottery also reminds players to play responsibly.
How to play Powerball: Players pay $2 and select five white balls from the first set of 59 numbers plus a single red ball, the Powerball, from a second set of 35 numbers. Players may select their own numbers using a Powerball playslip, or they may opt for computer-selected quick picks. Players must match all five numbers drawn plus the Powerball number to win the jackpot. There also are eight additional ways for players to win a cash prize.
Powerball tickets are sold in 44 participating jurisdictions. Drawings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
About the Pennsylvania Lottery: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that designates all its proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since its inception in 1971, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed nearly $21.5 billion to programs that include property tax and rent rebates; free transit and reduced-fare shared rides; the low-cost prescription drug programs PACE and PACENET; long-term living services; and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including full- and part-time senior centers throughout the state. The Pennsylvania Lottery reminds its players to play responsibly. Players must be 18 or older.
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