America’s Favorite Jackpot Game Breaks $200 Million First Time Since March 2008

The jackpot in America’s favorite lottery game breaks $200 million. The Powerball jackpot for tomorrow’s drawing is an estimated $222 million, with an estimated $113 million cash option. West Virginia Lottery Director John Musgrave said that this is the first time the Powerball jackpot has exceeded the $200 million mark since the March 15, 2008 drawing, when eight co-workers from the Monongalia Tax Office won a $276 million jackpot.
“West Virginia has been lucky to have had several very large Powerball jackpot winners and we are hopeful that the next jackpot will be hit in the Mountain State,” said Musgrave. In addition, Musgrave said with the new matrix changes, the game gives players even more chances to win. “By adding the Power Play option for an extra $1 and matching all five white balls, players have a chance to win $1 million cash. You don’t have to hit the jackpot to win big!”
Lotteries around the country sold more than $2.56 billion in Powerball tickets in FY08, translating into more than $743 million in worthwhile state projects. Powerball is now played in 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information on Powerball, please visit www.powerball.com. For more information on the West Virginia Lottery, please visit www.wvlottery.com.