Powerball Jackpot Winner Claims $251 Million Prize A Powerball jackpot winner in Arkansas claimed the $251 million prize after the March 2 drawing, matching all five numbers and the Powerball. According to Powerball's website, the winner can choose between annuitized payments over time or a lump-sum payout of $118 million. As of now, no one has officially claimed the prize. The Powerball jackpot has been won nearly 200 times since the game began in 1992. Currently, 45 U.S. states, including Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, participate in the lottery. However, five states—Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah—opt out of the game. Some states have produced more winners than others. Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin rank among the top five for the most Powerball winners, based on previous reports. The winning numbers for the March 2 drawing were 2, 17, 18, 38, 62, with the Powerball number 20. The Power Play multiplier was set at 2x, which increases non-jackpot prizes. While the Arkansas winner took the top prize, another player in Puerto Rico won the Match 5 + Power Play prize of $2 million. The jackpot has reset to $20 million ahead of the next drawing, scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, at 11 p.m. ET. Powerball drawings occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. If no one matches all numbers, the prize rolls over, increasing for subsequent draws. Players do not need to be U.S. citizens or residents to participate. Anyone visiting one of the 45 participating states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands can buy a ticket, provided they meet the legal age requirement, typically 18 years old, and purchase from a licensed retailer. To play, players select six numbers: five white balls numbered 1 through 69 and one red Powerball numbered 1 through 26.#arkansas #puerto_rico #powerball #washington_d_c #march_2
