The Powerball jackpot hit $305 million in advance of Wednesday's drawing, it's highest level since February.
Nebraska Lottery officials are reminding customers to play responsibly, given an anticipated frenzy over the high stakes.
“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.”
The Powerball jackpot starts at $40 million and continues to grow by at least $10 million each drawing until somebody wins. Since June 27, there have been 14 consecutive Powerball drawings without a jackpot winner.
At $305 million, the jackpot for the drawing Wednesday, August 15, if won, would be the 6th largest in Powerball history. The cash option would come out to $203.3 million.
The largest jackpot ever won in Nebraska was back in February of 2006. Eight coworkers at the ConAgra Foods ham and corned beef plant in Lincoln split the $365 million prize.
More than $449 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds, projects in all 93 counties, since the Lottery began in 1993.
