The $ 730 million Powerball award winning numbers were announced Wednesday night.
Winning Powerball Numbers: 53-60-40-68-69 with a Powerball number of 22.
The biggest Powerball prize is the fifth biggest in history and will come just a day after no one won the even bigger Mega Millions prize, which now stands at $ 970 million.
It is the first time both lottery prizes have surpassed $ 700 million. The biggest prize was a $ 1.58 million Powerball prize won by three people in 2016.
No one has won any of the awards since mid-September, allowing the awards to grow steadily for months. Such a long stretch without a winner is rare, but it also reflects the incredible odds of winning: one in every 292.2 million for Powerball and one in every 302.5 million for Mega Millions.
Maryland lottery spokeswoman Carole Gentry said Tuesday night’s Mega Millions draw saw sales of $ 260 million, accounting for covering 36% of all possible number combinations.
The prizes mentioned are for the winners who choose a life annuity option, paid for 30 years. Most of the winners opt for cash prizes, which for Mega Millions would be $ 716.3 million and $ 546 million for Powerball.
These awards would also be subject to federal taxes and most states would also have a reduction.
Mega Millions and Powerball are played in 45 states, as well as in Washington, DC and the US Virgin Islands. Powerball is also offered in Puerto Rico.