The Powerball jackpot continues to climb after no one won the grand prize in the latest drawing on Saturday, October 29, 2022. The lack of a winner means the next drawing on Monday, October 31 will be worth an estimated $1 billion.
What are the winning Powerball numbers for October 29?
The winning numbers for the Saturday, October 29 drawing were 19, 31, 40, 46, 57, and the Powerball was 23. The Power Play multiplier was 3X.
No one matched all six numbers to win the jackpot prize. However, two tickets sold in Massachusetts and New York matched five numbers without the Powerball to win $1 million each. Both winners also had the Power Play option, tripling their prizes to $3 million.
The overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.
Has anyone in Maryland won Powerball recently?
There has not been a jackpot winner from Maryland for quite some time. The last time someone in Maryland won the Powerball jackpot was in December 2018 when a 61-year-old landscaper from Lonaconing claimed a $298.3 million prize.
Since then, there have been some notable Powerball wins in Maryland, just not for the jackpot:
- In May 2022, a $50,000 prize was won with a ticket sold in Hagerstown.
- In March 2022, a $150,000 prize was claimed on a ticket purchased in Salisbury.
- In November 2021, a $1 million prize was won with a ticket bought in Prince George’s County.
So while the jackpot has remained elusive, some Marylanders have still won sizable Powerball prizes in recent years.
What are the biggest Maryland Powerball winners?
Here are the top 3 Powerball jackpots won in Maryland:
- $128.8 million, December 2002, Elkton
- $108.8 million, September 2011, Perryville
- $86 million, April 2011, Ellicott City
In addition to these substantial jackpots, there have been many other million-dollar winners from Maryland over the history of Powerball in the state.
What are the odds of winning Powerball in Maryland?
The odds are the same in every jurisdiction where Powerball is played. They are:
- 1 in 292,201,338 chance of matching all 5 numbers plus the Powerball
- 1 in 11,688,053.52 chance of matching 5 numbers but not the Powerball
- 1 in 913,129.18 chance of matching 4 numbers plus the Powerball
- 1 in 36,525.17 chance of matching 4 numbers
- 1 in 14,494.11 chance of matching 3 numbers plus the Powerball
- 1 in 579.76 chance of matching 3 numbers
- 1 in 91.98 chance of matching 2 numbers plus the Powerball
- 1 in 38.32 chance of matching 1 number plus the Powerball
- 1 in 24.87 chance of matching no numbers plus the Powerball
As you can see, the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of no major winnings. However, someone has to win eventually, and the lottery only needs one or two winners to turn a profit on massive jackpots like the current $1 billion Powerball prize.
What are the rules for winning Powerball in Maryland?
Maryland follows the standard Powerball rules:
- Players choose 5 main numbers from 1 to 69, and 1 Powerball number from 1 to 26.
- To win the jackpot, you must match all 5 main numbers plus the Powerball.
- Prizes start at $4 for matching just the Powerball, and increase to $1 million for matching 5 main numbers.
- Tickets cost $2 each, or $3 with the Power Play option which can multiply non-jackpot prizes.
- Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. EST.
- Tickets must be purchased by 9:45 p.m. EST on the night of the drawing to be eligible.
- Players must be 18 or older to play.
Maryland winners have 182 days from the drawing date to claim prizes. Jackpots can be paid annually over 29 years or in a lump sum cash option.
Where does Powerball lottery money go in Maryland?
In Maryland, Powerball ticket sales generate significant funding for state programs and services. Here is a breakdown:
- 61% goes towards prizes
- 29% goes to the state government
- 5% goes to retailer commissions
- 5% goes to operating expenses
The state government allocates its portion of lottery revenues to several areas:
- Education – Services for K-12 schools, community colleges, and higher education.
- Business & Economic Development – Small business loans, entrepreneur training, and other programs.
- Public Health & Safety – Funding for treatment centers, smoking cessation, trauma physicians, and more.
- Environment – Preserving open spaces, improving water quality, and protecting natural resources.
- State Institutions & Public Works – Capital improvements for state-owned facilities.
So while no one in Maryland hit the jackpot recently, lottery players in the state are contributing to many important causes with the purchase of each Powerball ticket.
What happens if no one wins the current $1 billion Powerball jackpot?
If there is no jackpot winner in the Monday, October 31 drawing, the prize will continue growing based on ticket sales across all participating states. The jackpot rolls over to the next drawing until it is won.
There is no cap on how large the Powerball jackpot can grow. The record stands at $1.586 billion shared by 3 winners in January 2016. Many experts predict the current $1 billion prize could approach record territory if it rolls over a few more times without a winner.
One key factor is the odds of winning. The odds remain the same regardless of the size of the jackpot. That means bigger jackpots tend to generate higher ticket sales as more players are tempted to play for a chance at mega millions.
Higher ticket sales mean a faster growing prize. That’s why Powerball jackpots frequently skyrocket after reaching the $500 million+ range. The cycle will continue until at least one lucky player holds a ticket with the right combination of numbers.
Conclusion
In summary, the Powerball jackpot is currently an astounding $1 billion after going unchecked on Saturday. No one in Maryland has hit the jackpot lately, but there have been several winners of $1 million or more over the past couple years.
Maryland has produced some staggeringly large Powerball jackpot winners in the past, and one or more resident could potentially end the current roll over streak as well. It only takes one ticket to win millions.
If no one wins Monday’s drawing, the jackpot will likely blast past records into uncharted territory. Wherever the final prize lands, players in Maryland and across the country will be eagerly purchasing their tickets and dreaming of joining the ranks of the biggest lottery winners of all time.
