Record $900 Million Powerball Jackpot Coincides with the West Virginia Lottery’s 30th Birthday

January 9, 2016

POWERBALL JACKPOT REACHES HISTORIC $900 MILLION MARK

Record Jackpot Happens to Coincide with the 30th Birthday of the West Virginia Lottery

Due to continued strong sales that are exceeding projections, the Multi-State Lottery Association’s Powerball Group has increased tonight’s Powerball jackpot (Jan. 9, 2016) to:

$900 Million
$558 Million (Cash)

The jackpot amount is the largest in U.S. history and it eclipses the previous record jackpot of $656 million from the Mega Millions game that was won on March 30, 2012.

TOP THREE NORTH AMERICAN RECORD LOTTERY JACKPOTS

1. KS, IL, MD $656.0 Million (3 tickets) March 30, 2012 Mega Millions
2. CA, GA $648.0 Million (2 tickets) Dec. 17, 2013 Mega Millions
3. FL $590.5 Million (1 ticket) May 18, 2013 Powerball

Ironically, Saturday also marks the 30th birthday for the West Virginia Lottery. The Lottery was created on January 9, 1986 and since that time it has generated more than $8.5 Billion in proceeds for the people of West Virginia. The State Legislature has directed nearly $3 billion in Lottery proceeds to improve schools and education, more than $1 billion to improve the quality of life of our seniors through senior services and programs, and more than $920 million to help the state’s tourism industry.

The Powerball game is West Virginia’s most popular draw game. Tickets cost $2 ($3 with the Powerplay option that increases non-jackpot prize amounts) and can be purchased up until 9:59 p.m. ET on draw dates. The Powerball drawing takes place at 10:59 p.m. and is broadcast live from Tallahassee, Fla.