Festive Fortune: Powerball Jackpot Reaches $638 Million

At a convenience store, a display panel promotes Powerball drawing tickets.Photo byKeith Srakocic

The anticipation for the Powerball jackpot has reached a staggering $638 million ahead of the Christmas Day drawing, offering a cash option of $321 million. If claimed, this would mark the fourth time in the game's history that a jackpot has been secured on Christmas, adding to the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot won this year.

The last Christmas Day Powerball win dates back a decade, when a lucky ticket in Missouri scored a $71.5 million jackpot. Historically, there have been three Powerball jackpot victories on Christmas: in 1996 with $48.2 million in Idaho, 2002 with $314.9 million in West Virginia, and 2013 with $71.5 million in Missouri.

Playing Powerball involves $2 per ticket, available for purchase in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sales typically close at 9:45 p.m. on the day of the drawing, obtainable at various retailers or through online platforms like MichiganLottery.com.

Winners of the jackpot can opt for a 30-year annuity, distributed in 30 installments over 29 years, or choose a lump sum payment. Both prize options are advertised before federal and jurisdictional tax deductions.

The overall chance of securing a prize stands at 1 in 24.9, while the odds of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, urging participants to try their luck in this substantial Christmas Day drawing.