Powerball Jackpot Hits $930 Million

The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $930 million for its next drawing on Wednesday night, following a fruitless search for a grand prize winner in Monday's game across 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

No ticket matched all six numbers in the December 8 drawing, which featured white balls 8, 32, 52, 56, and 64, along with Powerball 23. The jackpot, the seventh largest in Powerball history, now carries a cash value of about $429 million before taxes. Winners can choose between an annuity paid out over 30 years, with payments increasing by 5 percent annually after the first, or a lump-sum option. Tickets cost $2 each, with an optional Power Play feature for an extra dollar that multiplies non-jackpot prizes.

This marks the 40th consecutive drawing without a jackpot winner, building on a streak that began after the last grand prize was split on September 6 between tickets sold in Missouri and Texas. Those winners shared a $1.787 billion pot, the second-largest ever. The absence of a top winner has fueled a surge in ticket sales and secondary prizes throughout the run. So far, 50 tickets have matched the five white balls for $1 million...