Powerball jackpot soars to $1.8 billion, second-largest in history

The Powerball jackpot has grown to $1.8 billion, the second-largest jackpot in history.

The next drawing is set for 10:59 p.m. Saturday. Viewers can watch the drawing wherever they stream WRAL or on WRAL.com.

The cash option for Saturday night's drawing is an estimated $826.4 million.

The only other larger Powerball prize was in November 2022 when it was $2.04 billion. A man in California won the record-setting jackpot.

Since May 31, there have been 41 straight drawings without a big winner.

Powerball’s terrible odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes becoming ever larger as they repeatedly roll over when no one wins. Lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes. There are three drawings each week.

Powerball tickets cost $2 and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.