Powerball climbs to $173 million | Community Spirit

ATLANTA – Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $173 million after no one matched all the winning numbers in Saturday’s drawing.

Two Georgia Lottery players matched four numbers plus the Powerball number Saturday, winning $10,000 each. The lucky tickets were purchased in McDonough and LaFayette.

The Powerball jackpot has been growing since Lithonia resident Kathy Scruggs won $25 million in the Sept. 14 drawing.

Powerball offers two payment options: the $173 million jackpot prize paid over 29 years in 30 graduated payments, or the cash option, which is approximately $105 million.

Powerball tickets are $1 per play.

As with all other Georgia Lottery games, proceeds from Powerball will benefit education in the state of Georgia.

POWERBALL FAST FACTS

Draw Date: Oct. 26, 2011

Estimated Jackpot Amount: $173 million
Annuity Amount: Jackpot prize paid over 29 years in 30 graduated payments
Cash Option Amount: Approximately $105 million
Cost to Play: $1 per play; an additional $1 per play to add the Power Play multiplier
Drawings: 11 p.m. (ET) every Wednesday and Saturday
Overall Odds of Winning Any Prize: Approximately 1:35
Odds of Winning Jackpot Prize: Approximately 1:195 million
Date Jackpot Began Rolling: Sept. 17, 2011
Number of Rolls: 11
Last Winning Jackpot Ticket: Sept. 14, 2011 Decatur, Ga. ($25 million)
#1 Powerball Jackpot: $365 million; Feb. 18, 2006; Neb. winner