Lottery Fever Grows As Powerball Jackpot Swells
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The estimated Powerball jackpot has climbed to $460 million, making it the nation's 10th largest lottery prize.
Players had until 10 p.m. Wednesday to spend $2 for a chance at the big prize, awarded to anyone matching five white balls drawn from one drum and a red Powerball drawn from another. The odds of winning are one in 292.2 million.
The winning numbers Wednesday night were 2, 18, 37, 39, 42, and Powerball 12.
It's the biggest Powerball jackpot since a $758.7 million prize won last August.
The $460 million prize refers to the annuity option, paid over 29 years. The cash prize would be $291 million, which would be trimmed further by taxes.
Lottery players also can vie for another giant prize, as the Mega Millions game now offers a grand prize of $418 million. The next drawing for that game is Friday.
"Get out there and get in the games," said New Jersey Lottery Acting Executive Director John M. White. "This is a chance to start 2018 as a multi-millionaire if you win tonight's Powerball jackpot and to become a 'Mega Millionaire' if you win both tonight and Friday's Mega Millions jackpot."
The odds of winning both are one in 88 quadrillion.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)