Powerball jackpot jumps to eye-watering $100 million as Aussies scramble for tickets
It comes after five consecutive Powerball lotteries were drawn without a first division one winner.
Up to half of Australian adults are expected to purchase a ticket in next week's eye-watering $100 million Powerball, after last night's $60 million prize was again drawn unclaimed. The staggering sum, which will be drawn on Thursday night, will mark the sixth-biggest jackpot in Australian lottery history.
It comes after five consecutive Powerball lotteries were drawn without a first division one winner, though, two lucky Aussies did pocket a cool $142,000 last night out of a total of $35 million worth of smaller prizes.
In February, Powerball offered a record-breaking jackpot of $200 million and crowned two division one winners — a Hawthorne woman and a Singleton couple who each pocketed $100 million. Now, Aussies are set to try their luck again, with another chance to pocket $100 million up for grabs on May 16.
Official's advice to Aussies
The Lott spokesperson Anna Hobdell has said officials will be waiting on the "edge of our seats" to see what happens next.
"It’s been almost four months since Powerball last offered $100 million to Australian lottery players – on that occasion the prize wasn’t won and we saw it jackpot to the record-breaking heights of $200 million," The Lott spokesperson Anna Hobdell said.
You're more likely to be crushed by a meteorite than win the lottery
Powerball lottery: 5 tips from a money expert for what to do (and what to avoid) if you win
Aussie wakes to 'mind-blowing' $50 million lotto win after missed calls
"We will be waiting on the edge of our seats to see if Powerball welcomes another division one winner or if history will repeat itself and the jackpot climbs higher.
If just one player wins the entire $100 million prize, they’ll not only expect to receive a multi-million-dollar boost to their bank account, but they’ll also share the crown of Australia’s second biggest individual lottery winner ever."
Hobdell reminded Aussies that the draw will close at 7.30pm AEST on Thursday May 16.
"The only way players can be in with a chance to secure the multi-million-dollar prize is by grabbing a ticket either in-store, online or via The Lott app," she said.
"Our biggest tip to players is to register their entries to a player card or online account. By registering an entry, we’ll be able to reach out to the division one winner immediately after the draw."
The winning numbers in Powerball draw 1460 on Thursday, May 9, were 6, 18, 32, 3, 1, 16 and 12. The Powerball number was 4. In 2023, 20 Powerball division one winning entries across Australia pocketed more than $552.15 million in prize money.
Slim chances remain
While lottery enthusiasts will undoubtedly be excited by the latest update, gambling officials have long warned punters it's very unlikely most will never win first prize.
Ever heard that you're more likely to die on your way to go and buy a Powerball ticket than actually winning? Turns out it's true, especially if you're driving there.
According to The Lott themselves, the chances of winning division one in Powerball, based on one standard game, are a vanishingly small one in 134,490,400.
If gambling is a problem for you go to Gambling Help Online or call 1800 858 858.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
