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Powerball Jackpot Increases to $500 Million

Maryland Lottery officials announced the increase Tuesday morning for the drawing.

 

UPDATE (2:05 p.m.)—The jackpot for Wednesday night's Powerball drawing was already the largest in the game's history at $425 million but lottery officials announced that the prize pool had increased on Tuesday morning.

Wednesday's drawing will now be for a $500 million jackpot with a $327 million cash option, according to an email from Maryland Lottery spokeswoman Erica Palmisano. The news comes after 15 straight Powerball drawings without a winner.

Lottery officials said there have been two Powerball winners in our state since Maryland started to participate in January 2010:

  • $128 million, December 2011, Elkton, Cecil County (anonymous Pennsylvania couple)
  • $108.8 million, September 2011, Abingdon, Harford County (anonymous couple)

The last huge jackpot and previous record-holder—a $365 million prize—was claimed in Nebraska back in 2006.

      The next drawing will take place on Wednesday at 11:22 p.m. on WBAL-TV, Channel 11 and will be rebroadcast on MPT. Powerball is a lottery game played in 42 states including Maryland.

      Editor's note: This article was updated with new information about previous winners from Maryland Lottery officials.

      What would you do with the winnings? Tell us in the comments.

      Related Topics: maryland lottery and powerball

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