What would you do with $650 million? If you purchase a Powerball ticket and beat the rather daunting odds, your dreams may come true. The results of the August 19 drawing revealed no winning ticket was sold — the jackpot will be at least $650 million for the next drawing slated for August 23.
The winning numbers drawn on August 19 are 17, 19, 39, 43, 68, PB 13. Although there wasn't a jackpot winner, five lucky lottery players won $1 million and two ticket holders won a whopping $2 million each. But that's a drop in the bucket compared to the $650 million jackpot that is one of the biggest jackpots in the history of the game.
Where does the $650M jackpot rank?
Wednesday's jackpot, which could grow to more than $650 million by the time the drawing takes place, is not the biggest jackpot in the history of the Powerball lottery game. However, it currently takes second place — not a bad place to be.
Let's take a look at the top 5 Powerball jackpots while we dream about living the lifestyle of the rich and soon-to-be famous.
The biggest jackpot may be hard to beat but never say never. On January 13, 2016, three people split not only the biggest Powerball jackpot but the world's largest lottery jackpot. It was worth approximately $1.586 billion. According to NBC, the three winning tickets were sold in California, Florida, and Tennessee.
Currently in second place is the $650 million jackpot that will continue to rise if no one matches all six numbers drawn on August 23.
A Florida woman won the third biggest Powerball jackpot ($590.5 million) in May 2013.
Coming in at a close fourth place is the $587.5 million Powerball jackpot that was split between two winners (Missouri and Arizona) on November 28, 2012.
The fifth largest jackpot in Powerball history (to date) is the $564.1 million jackpot that was shared between three lucky winners on February 11, 2015.
How much money will you get if you win the $650 million Powerball jackpot?
If you are the sole winner of Wednesday's jackpot, you won't get $650 million. According to USA Mega, 25 percent of the jackpot amount will be withheld for federal taxes.
If you choose to take the lump sum instead of a 30-year annuity, your windfall will be far less than $650 million.
According to the official Powerball website, the current Cash value of the August 23 jackpot is $411.7 million. After federal taxes (and before state taxes), you will net $308,775,000. Not a bad day's pay, right?
