DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Powerball drawing is scheduled for Saturday, offering what could become the second highest lottery jackpot in history: an estimated $1.8 billion. This remarkable prize has accumulated after over 40 consecutive drawings in which no player successfully matched all six numbers of the game.

The colossal jackpot is a result of the lottery's rollover system, where winnings increase whenever there is no winner in a drawing. The odds of winning the Powerball are notoriously daunting, standing at 1 in 292.2 million. These unfavorable odds are a key mechanism for generating massive jackpots and encouraging players to participate in the game, which holds three drawings each week.

Currently, the largest jackpot on record is $2.04 billion, which was drawn in 2022 and awarded to a ticket buyer in California. Since the last winner on May 31, the jackpot has continued to grow, fueling excitement among players and ticket buyers across the participating states.

The $1.8 billion jackpot is for a winner who chooses an annuity option, which consists of 30 payments spread over 29 years. However, it is common for winners to opt for the cash alternative, which for this particular drawing is estimated at approximately $826.4 million. This cash option allows instant access to a considerable lump sum, making it an appealing choice for many lottery winners.

Powerball tickets are available for purchase at a price of $2, and the game is played in 45 states, alongside Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The anticipation surrounding such a significant jackpot contributes to increased ticket sales, as individuals are drawn to the prospect of life-changing winnings.

As the next drawing approaches, ticket sales are expected to surge, particularly as players seek their chance to win a slice of this extraordinary jackpot. The atmosphere surrounding lottery drawings, especially those featuring colossal prizes, tends to generate a buzz among communities and contributes to shared excitement as people dream of the possibilities that such wealth could bring.

The Powerball game continues to capture the public’s imagination, with its frequent rollovers and escalating jackpots making headlines and creating a cultural phenomenon around the lottery system. With the drawing just around the corner, many are eagerly awaiting the results, hoping to be the next winner of a historic jackpot.