What are the chances of winning a prize in the Powerball game?
Powerball is a popular lottery game across the United States, but it’s not easy to win.
Powerball captures the imagination of millions of Americans just before the holidays. Saturday night’s drawing had an estimated $1.5 billion jackpot, making it one of the largest jackpots in the game’s history.
This winning streak continues, and this drawing has now gone to over 40 prizes, but no one has been able to win the big jackpot, making it one of the longest droughts in recent Powerball history.
Winning the jackpot remains extremely difficult, with odds of 1 in 292.2 million per $2 ticket. But with $1.5 billion at stake, lottery fever is skyrocketing.
Meanwhile, some players are already celebrating their side prizes. Some tickets that matched five numbers without Powerball have won prizes of up to $1 million or more in states such as New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are available in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with live drawings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. ET.
As the clock ticks and the jackpot grows just before Christmas, many are wondering. Will this weekend be the time to make history?
What were the winning Powerball numbers?
For the December 17, 2025 drawing, the combinations 25, 33, 53, 62, 66 and Powerball 17 remained on the table, with a 4x Power Play multiplier.
Although there was no grand prize winner, there were multiple secondary prizes in various states, showing that the multiplier continues to improve the chances even though the big wins are yet to come.
Now everyone is focused on the next draw.
What day is Powerball held?
Your next chance to win is tonight, December 20, 2025 at 10:59 PM ET/9:59 PM CT. The boat remains like this.
- Estimated jackpot: $1.5 million
- Cash value: $686.5 million
Although some states with winning records (California, Florida, Tennessee, Oregon) are always listed as token bets, the truth is that winners can come from anywhere.
In 2025, there are already four jackpot winners.
Since then, the ship has continued to move on without an owner. And while the final stages of the year are increasing the chances of a new billionaire emerging by December, the math remains unrelenting.
How close are we to another historic millionaire jackpot?
Jackpots exceeding $1 billion are no longer an absolute rarity. Last 5 years:
- 8 ships exceeded 1 billion ships
- 3 in 2023
- Two will be won in 2024, including the largest prize ever.
The record still stands at Powerball’s unattainable $2.04 billion in 2022, but each accumulation this week brings the game closer to new territory.
And what are the odds?
They remain the same:
- Powerball jackpot is 1 in 292.2 million
- 1 in 302.6 million for Mega Millions
Lou Lefton, a Georgia Tech mathematician, recalled that the game’s rule changes made jackpots bigger and more frequent, but also harder to win. Nevertheless, collective fantasies remain part of national rituals.
Top 10 Biggest Lottery Prizes in U.S. History
- $2.04 billion — Powerball (2022, California)
- $1.765 billion — Powerball (2023, California)
- $1.62 billion — Mega Millions (Florida, 2023)
- $1.586 billion — Powerball (2016; California, Florida, Tennessee)
- $1.537 billion — Mega Millions (2018, South Carolina)
- $1.5 billion — Powerball (actual)
- $1.35 billion — Mega Millions (2023, Maine)
- $1.337 billion — Mega Millions (2022, Illinois)
- $132.6 billion — Powerball (2024, Oregon)
- $1.13 billion — Mega Millions (2024, New Jersey)
How to play Powerball?
To play Powerball, you must purchase a $2 ticket. You can purchase it at various places such as convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets. In some states, you can also purchase tickets online.
Once you get your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. The Powerball is five white balls with numbers from 1 to 69 and one red ball with numbers from 1 to 26. For an additional $1, you can add a power play option. This increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes.
Power Play Multipliers can increase your wins by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or up to 10x.
If you want to choose a system, there is a quick pick option where the computer generates a random number for your ticket. To win the jackpot, you must match all five white numbers in any order, plus the red Powerball number.
Powerball drawings take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. If no one wins the jackpot, the jackpot continues to accumulate.
Where can I buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets. Some airports also sell tickets.
You can also order online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery messaging service of the USA TODAY Network. This service is available in the following U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia.
News: Jackpocket is the official digital lottery messenger of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may receive revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older (21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska). Gambling problems: Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (other states). For full terms and conditions, please visit jackpocket.com/tos.
contribution: america today
Boris Q’va is a national Spanish language trends news reporter for Connect/USA TODAY Network. You can follow him on X as @ByBorisQva or write to him at BBalsindesUrquiola@gannett.com.
