The Powerball Lottery’s jackpot has grown to a $685-million dollars for tonight’s drawing. If the winner chooses a lump sum payout, they’d get $344.7-million.
The jackpot has been consistently growing since October, when a fortunate player in California secured the 2nd-largest prize in the game’s history by winning $1.76 billion dollars after matching the 5 balls and the Powerball.
One player in northeast Nebraska almost pulled it off on Saturday, matching the 5 regular numbers but not the Powerball.
Although they didn’t get the $620-million jackpoint, they did win $1-million dollars, and since they also purchased the $1 Power Play option, their winnings doubled to $2-million dollars.
Nebraska Lottery officials say the ticket was sold at a convenience store in Emerson, which is the only municipality in Nebraska that straddles 3 counties – Dakota, Dixon, and Thurston
The winner has 180 days after the drawing to claim their prize in person at Nebraska Lottery headquarters in Lincoln