Powerball Jackpot soars to $1.2 billion as Middle Georgia players try their luck

The Powerball jackpot is climbing into record territory, and lottery players across Macon and Middle Georgia are buzzing with excitement.

2 hours ago

Tyrik Wynn,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Wednesday night’s drawing features an estimated $1.2 billion jackpot, with a cash value of $572.1 million, making it the sixth-largest Powerball jackpot in history.

Drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11:00 p.m. ET, giving players several chances each week to win big.

Local interest is already high, especially after a $50,000-winning Powerball ticket was sold at a Marathon gas station on Riverside Drive in Macon during the Dec. 13 drawing. Two other $50,000-winning tickets were also sold elsewhere in Georgia, highlighting that big wins can, and do happen close to home.

Powerball tickets cost $2 per play, and for an additional $1, players can add the Power Play feature, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five, or even 10 times.

Tickets are available at Georgia Lottery retailers statewide, including convenience stores and gas stations throughout Middle Georgia. Georgia residents with a Georgia mailing address can also purchase tickets through the Georgia Lottery app or online, as long as they are physically located in Georgia at the time of purchase.

While the jackpot prize is massive, lottery officials remind players that the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. However, the overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are much better, 1 in 24.9.

Powerball Prize Breakdown

Here’s how players can win:

Match 5 White Balls + Powerball: Jackpot
Match 5 White Balls: $1 million
Match 4 White Balls + Powerball: $50,000
Match 4 White Balls: $100
Match 3 White Balls + Powerball: $100
Match 3 White Balls: $7
Match 2 White Balls + Powerball: $7
Match 1 White Ball + Powerball: $4
Match Powerball: $4

With Power Play:

Match 5 White Balls: $2 million
Match 4 White Balls + Powerball: $200,000
Match 4 White Balls: $400
Match 3 White Balls + Powerball: $400
Match 3 White Balls: $28
Match 2 White Balls + Powerball: $28
Match 1 White Ball + Powerball: $16
Match Powerball: $16

As the jackpot continues to grow, many Middle Georgia players are stopping by their neighborhood stores, dreaming of a life-changing win and knowing that, as Macon’s recent $50,000 winner proves, lightning can strike right here at home.