Powerball Jackpot Increased to $360 million; Please Play Responsibly

May 14, 2013 – Due to high sales, the Multi-State Lottery Association has increased the estimated jackpot amount for the Wednesday, May 15 drawing to $360 million or $229.2 million with the cash option selected.

The Powerball jackpot starts at $40 million and continues to grow by at least $10 million each drawing until it is won. There have been 12 consecutive Powerball drawings since April 3 without a jackpot winner.

Nine jackpots ranging from $2.5 million to $365 million have been won in Nebraska since the Nebraska Lottery began offering Powerball in July of 1994. The largest Powerball jackpot won on a single ticket occurred in February 2006 when a group of eight coworkers at the ConAgra Foods ham and corned beef plant in Lincoln split a $365 million jackpot.

Play Responsibly

The Nebraska Lottery encourages customers to play within their means. “It’s important for Nebraska Lottery players to remember that no matter how large the jackpot is, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 175 million,” said Nebraska Lottery Director Jim Haynes. “Your odds of winning remain the same, regardless of how many tickets are purchased or how many people play.” If you or someone you know has a problem with compulsive gambling please call the Nebraska Compulsive Gambling Help Line toll free at 800-GAMBLER.