Powerball fever drives jackpot to $500 million

INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 6, 2016)  –  As of noon today, Multi-State Lottery Officials have increased tonight’s estimated Powerball jackpot to $500 million. Swift sales nationwide prompted a $50 million midday increase for the second day in a row.

Powerball players haven’t had a shot at this much money in nearly a year, since February 2015. Powerball has cracked the $500 million mark only three other times. If won tonight, the $500 million jackpot would be the FOURTH largest in the game’s history.

1. $590 million May 2013 (won in Florida)  ALL TIME POWERBALL RECORD
2. $587 million in November 2012 (won in Arizona and Missouri)
3. $564 million in February 2015 (split by three tickets in Texas, Puerto Rico and North Carolina).
4. CURRENT $450 MILLION ESTIMATE
5. $448 million in August 2013 ( won in Minnesota and New Jersey)
6. $425 million in February 2014 (won in California)

Indiana leads the nation in Powerball jackpot wins with 38. The biggest Powerball jackpot prize ever won in Indiana was $314.5 million.