CHICAGO, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Powerball fever is building across Illinois as the multistate lottery jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.6 billion ahead of Monday night’s drawing, following another rollover over the weekend.
The massive prize, if won, would rank as the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot and the fifth-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history, according to lottery officials.
No ticket matched all six numbers drawn Saturday night — 4, 5, 28, 52, 69 and Powerball 20 — but several Illinois players still walked away with significant winnings. One iLottery player won $150,000 by matching four numbers plus the Powerball and adding the Power Play feature. Four additional Illinois players each won $50,000 after matching four numbers and the Powerball.
The current jackpot run began Sept. 7 and has already delivered notable returns for players statewide. More than 1.3 million winning tickets have been sold in Illinois during the run, totaling more than $16.1 million in prizes.
Retailers have also benefited from the surge in ticket sales, earning commissions on every Powerball ticket sold as well as a 1% bonus on winning tickets.
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are sold at licensed retailers across Illinois and online through the Illinois Lottery website and mobile app. Players can add Power Play for an additional $1 to multiply non-jackpot prizes.