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Oregon, United States
A single Powerball ticket sold in Oregon hit the $1.326 billion jackpot after matching all six numbers. The announcement came on Saturday after Powerball delayed that night's drawing due to "pre-draw procedures."
The winning numbers comprised white balls numbered 22, 27, 44, 52, 69, and a red ball numbered 9. Powerball stated that Saturday's jackpot has a cash value of $621 million.
On Saturday, the Multi-State Lottery Association announced that they had to delay the drawing for the $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot, scheduled for 10:59 pm ET. It was because one participating lottery needed additional time to complete pre-draw procedures. Later, the drawing occurred at 02:29 am ET.
"Powerball game rules require that every single ticket sold nationwide be checked and verified against two different computer systems before the winning numbers are drawn," the association stated. "Tonight, we have one jurisdiction that needs extra time to complete that pre-draw process," they added.
Saturday night's drawing produced over 4.5 million winning tickets. These included seven tickets that matched all five white balls and won $1 million prizes.
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On New Year's Day, a single ticket in Michigan ended a 40-drawing streak without a winner. It had the winning numbers for Powerball's top prize of $842.2 million.
Saturday's Powerball drawing tied the record for most drawings in a year. The jackpot was the fourth largest in Powerball history and the eighth largest in US lottery history.
The jackpot has grown to become the eighth largest in U.S. lottery history, thanks to the long odds of 1 in 292.2 million. This makes winning so difficult and has enabled the top prize to roll over three times a week for months.
The prize of $1.3 billion is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity. The winner will receive an initial payment and then 29 annual payments. However, winners can also opt for the cash payout of $621 million.
To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls and the red Powerball. The tickets are $2 each, and drawings happen on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Powerball can be played in 45 states, including Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
(With inputs from agencies)