Powerball record $2.04 billion jackpot won in California; plus 23 tickets win millions

John Connolly, NorthJersey.com
·7 min read
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The $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot has been won by a lottery player who bought the ticket in California, according to lottery officials.

The winning ticket was sold at Joe's Service Center in Altadena, the California lottery announced. The winner will also have the cash option of $997.6 million.

In addition, there are now 23 millionaires who matched all five white balls in the Monday night drawing, which was actually held Tuesday morning after a technical problem - including three in New Jersey. The Jersey tickets were purchased in Merchantville, Hightstown and Edison.

Here are the winning numbers selected for the Monday, Nov. 7 drawing: 10 - 33 - 41 - 47 - 56 and Powerball 10. The Powerplay was 2x.

The jackpot had been estimated to be $1.9 billion, but rose based on actual sales.

One ticket sold in Florida won $2 million with the Powerplay. Here is where the 22 $1 million tickets were sold (California payout is based on actual sales in the state):

The jackpot will now reset to $20 million for Wednesday night's drawing.

The jackpot had last won on Aug. 3 night when a lottery player in Pennsylvania took home $206.9 million.

Meanwhile, the Mega Millions jackpot is at $154 million with a cash option of $74.7 million for Tuesday's drawing, according to the Mega Millions website.

Why was the Powerball delayed?

“Because of a technical problem tonight, we are unable to bring you the Powerball drawing at this time. As soon as we are unable to resolve the issue and conduct the drawing, it will be available on Powerball.com," lottery host Laura Johnson at 11 p.m. EST told television viewers, who were anxiously waiting to see if they were about to become a billionaire.

In a statement immediately after, lottery officials said the delay was caused by "a participating lottery needing extra time to complete the required security protocols."

Around 2:20 a.m., the Multi-State Lottery Association put out a statement further explaining the problem:

"Currently, one participating lottery is still processing its sales and play data. Powerball requires all 48 participating lotteries to submit their sales and play data prior to the winning numbers being selected. Once Powerball receives the outstanding submission, the drawing can proceed. Powerball has stringent security requirements to protect the integrity of the game and remains committed to holding a drawing that gives all players a fair chance to win."

Around 7:15 a.m., the Multi-State Lottery Association issued another statement:

"Powerball has been in communication with the lottery throughout the night as it works to resolve the issue. The delay is unfortunate as the other 47 lotteries were able to complete the required security procedures in a timely fashion.

"Like the rest of America, Powerball is eager to hold its drawing for the world record jackpot, however, protecting the integrity of the draw is of upmost importance, even if that means a further delay."

The Multi-State Lottery Association sent out a release that the record $2.04 billion jackpot went off at 8:57 a.m. at the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee.

“Protecting the integrity of the draw is of upmost importance," said Drew Svitko, Powerball Product Group Chair and Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director, in announcing the winner Tuesday afternoon.

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When is the next Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings are held three times a week - Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Monday drawings were added in 2021.

How late can I buy Powerball tickets?

The deadline for purchasing Powerball ticket varies by state so don't wait until the last minute. The deadline in New Jersey is 9:59 p.m. on the day of the drawing, while New York's deadline is 10 p.m.

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How do I play Powerball?

The cost is $2 per ticket, but you can add the Power Play for $1, which will increase the amount of your potential prize up to five times the original prize (except for the jackpot and Match 5). There is also a 10x Power Play possibility when the jackpot is less than $150 million.

Each player selects five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. However, you can also have the lottery machine generate a quick pick ticket with random numbers for you.

Prizes vary from $4 for the matching the Powerball to $1 million for matching all five white balls (except in California) to the jackpot for matching all six balls. You can check all the prize payouts on the Powerball website here.

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Where can I buy Powerball tickets?

You can play the game in 45 states plus the Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Many grocery stores, gas stations and convenience stores sell lottery tickets. Some states allow Powerball tickets to be purchased online, but beware of scam websites. Check with your state lottery for more details about online sales before purchasing tickets online.

You don't need to be a U.S. citizen or a resident a particular state where you purchase your ticket.

Here is where you can buy tickets from lottery retailers in New Jersey: Click here.

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How can I watch Powerball drawing?

The Powerball drawing is broadcast live on the lottery website at 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. You can watch the drawing by clicking here.

The drawing may be broadcast on a local television station in your market as well.

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What are my odds of winning?

Playing the Powerball can be exciting, but just don't go spending those millions before you win.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 292,201,338-to-1.

The odds to match all five white balls are 11,688,053-to-1.

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Lump sum or annuity?

The major lotteries in the United States offer two jackpot payout options: annuity and cash.

The annuity option is paid out over time. There is an immediate payment and then 29 annual payments after that, increasing by 5% each year.

The cash option is significantly lower than the advertised jackpot, but it is paid in a lump sum. You don't have to wait decades for all the money.

What was biggest Powerball jackpot?

Here are the Top 10 jackpots since the Powerball lottery began in 1992:

  1. $2.04 billion, Nov. 7, 2022: California

  2. $1.586 billion, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee

  3. $768.4 million, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin

  4. $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts

  5. $730 million, Jan. 20, 2021: Won in Maryland

  6. $699.8 million, Oct. 4, 2021: Won in California

  7. $687.8 million, Oct. 27, 2018: Two winners in Iowa, New York

  8. $632.6 million, Jan. 5, 2022: Two winner in California, Wisconsin

  9. $590.5 million, May 18, 2013: Won in Florida

  10. $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012: Two winners in Arizona, Missouri

What was largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever?

Here's a look at the top jackpots were won in the United States, between the Powerball and the Mega Millions lotteries:

  1. $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: California

  2. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee

  3. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina

  4. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: Illinois

  5. $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan

  6. $768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin

  7. $758.7 million, Powerball, Aug. 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts

  8. $730 million,, Powerball, Jan. 20, 2021: Won in Maryland

  9. $699.8 million, Powerball, Oct. 4, 2021: Won in California

  10. $687.8 million, Powerball, Oct. 27, 2018: Two winners in Iowa, New York

  11. $656 million, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland

  12. $648 million, Dec. 17, 2013: Two winners in California, Georgia

  13. $632.6 million, Powerball, Jan. 5, 2022: Two winner in California, Wisconsin

  14. $590.5 million, Powerball, May 18, 2013: Won in Florida

  15. $587.5 million, Powerball, Nov. 28, 2012: Two winner in Arizona, Missouri

  16. $564.1 million, Powerball, Feb. 11, 2015: Three winners in North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas

  17. $543 million, Mega Millions, July 24, 2018: Won in California

  18. $536 million, Mega Millions July 8, 20116: Won in Indiana

  19. $533 million, Mega Millions, March 30, 2018: Won in New Jersey

  20. $522 million, Mega Millions, June 7, 2019: Won in California

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Powerball record $2.04 billion winning ticket sold in California