The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing on Wednesday, July 22 were 7, 29, 35, 40 and 45. The Powerball was 26 with the Power Play being 2x.
It was no-one’s lucky night as no ticket sold successfully matched all of those numbers, meaning that the jackpot will roll over to Saturday’s drawing. But two winning tickets purchased in California and New York respectively did successfully match the five white balls, thus securing a $1 million payout.
Neither of those tickets was purchased with an additional 2x Power Play. If they had been, those prize winners would have seen their payout doubled to $2 million.
There were nine people who matched four of the while balls plus the Powerball to receive a $50,000 payout, with six of those winning tickets doubling the size of their payout to $100,000 because they also purchased the additional 2x Power Play.
As the grand prize wasn’t won, the jackpot now increases in size to $137 million, with a cash value of roughly $112.7 million, for the next drawing on August 2. This jackpot could increase if sales further lottery projections, according to officials.
Before Wednesday’s draw, the previous Powerball on July 25 had the winning numbers of 5, 21, 36, 61 and 62 with the Powerball being 18 with a Power Play of 2x. There were no jackpot winners for that draw either, but one ticket purchased in Nebraska successfully matched all five white balls to receive a $1 million prize payout.
As the Powerball rolls over into August, it means the last time the jackpot was won was almost four months ago. Back on April 8, a ticket purchased in New Jersey successfully matched all numbers to win a grand prize worth $190 million. The numbers for that drawing were 2, 37, 39, 48, 54 and a Powerball of 5.
How do you play Powerball?
Powerball is a hugely popular multi-state lottery that is available to play in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings usually take place twice a week on a Wednesday and Saturday night, at 10:59 p.m. ED. Each draw is broadcast live from the lottery studio in Tallahassee, Florida.
You can play Powerball in Each ticket costs $2 per play, with players selecting five numbers from 1 to 69, in addition to one red Powerball number from 1 to 26. In certain circumstances, players can also multiply non-jackpot prizes by using the Power Play option for an additional $1.
Why is the Powerball so low?
Powerball slashed its minimum payout in half from $40 million to $20 million back in March because of the coronavirus pandemic leading to reduced sales, according to lottery officials.
Powerball Product Group Chairman and Maine Lottery Director Gregory Mineo said in a statement at the time" “Powerball players in many U.S. lottery jurisdictions are under shelter-in-place orders or recommendations, which have affected normal consumer behaviors.
“Just like other enterprises around the world that are making adjustments, we are making proactive changes to continue to offer the world’s premier lottery product.”
