Early details show that Iowa Lottery players won more than 32,000 prizes in tonight’s Powerball jackpot drawing, and the game’s top prize surged past the latest estimates that had been made beforehand.
Jackpot buzz seems to be everywhere right now, with the Mega Millions jackpot reaching a world record and Powerball’s top prize also way up there. The Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday now stands at an estimated $1.6 billion annuity, $905 million lump-sum option. It has edged just past the previous world record for a lottery prize, a Powerball jackpot of nearly $1.6 billion that was split by three tickets in California, Florida and Tennessee in January 2016.
With strong sales nationwide, the Mega Millions jackpot likely will go even higher before Tuesday’s drawing occurs.
Here is an initial look at tonight’s Powerball drawing and its Iowa results, followed by the details of yesterday’s Mega Millions drawing. We’ll have a full report available tomorrow for both big weekend drawings.
THE LATEST ABOUT POWERBALL
The winning numbers in tonight’s Powerball jackpot drawing were: 16-54-57-62-69 and Powerball 23. The Power Play number was 2. The estimated jackpot amount was $476.7 million annuity, $272.4 million lump-sum option. That ranks at No. 8 on the list of Powerball’s biggest jackpots and No. 14 among the largest jackpots in the United States.
A total of 32,359 plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players won prizes ranging from $4 up to $50,000. Two tickets purchased in Iowa were just one number away from having at least a share of tonight’s jackpot, matching four of the first five numbers and the Powerball to win prizes of $50,000 each. Complete overall results for the drawing, including whether there was a jackpot winner nationwide, are not yet available, as some lotteries across the country are still processing records to determine their in-state results.
Iowa Lottery players bought nearly $1.9 million in Powerball tickets for tonight’s drawing, including nearly $650,000 in tickets on Saturday alone. However, the average Iowa Powerball purchase for the day remained about $5, or two to three plays per ticket. We’re glad to see that our players had fun buying tickets and didn’t go overboard.
More than 91 percent of all of the plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players for Saturday’s drawing were easy picks, meaning that the lottery terminal automatically generated the numbers on the ticket.
DETAILS FOR MEGA MILLIONS
Iowa Lottery players bought tickets that won 78,286 prizes in yesterday’s Mega Millions drawing.
The winning numbers in yesterday’s $1 billion jackpot drawing were: 15-23-53-65-70 and Mega Ball 7. The Megaplier number was 2. A total of 78,286 plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players won prizes last night ranging from $2 up to $20,000.
Two tickets purchased in Iowa came within one number of having at least a share of yesterday’s jackpot, with one winning a prize of $10,000 and the other winning $20,000. They each matched four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball, but one of the tickets had added the Megaplier option, which doubled its prize.
The $20,000-winning ticket was purchased at EZ Go convenience store, 2723 Grand Ave. in Des Moines, while the $10,000-winning ticket was purchased at Casey’s, 1100 Eagle View Drive in Marion.
Iowa Lottery players bought more than $4 million in Mega Millions tickets for Friday’s drawing, including nearly $2.8 million in tickets on Friday alone. However, the average Mega Millions purchase on Friday remained about $6, or three plays per ticket.
More than 94 percent of all of the plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players for Friday’s drawing were easy picks.
PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY
We mean it when we say that playing smart is a lot more fun. Please play responsibly. It only takes one ticket to have a shot at a prize, and we don’t want anyone to get in over their heads while playing the lottery.
I'm guessing you're not alone in having that wish, Charlene! :) But the daydreaming is part of the fun, isn't it?
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | October 21, 2018 at 09:45 AM
For the lump-sum amount, federal and state withholdings apply before the prize is paid. The federal withholding rate is currently 24 percent and the state withholding rate in Iowa is 5 percent. And in Iowa, lottery winners' information is public, so it is not possible to claim a prize anonymously.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | October 21, 2018 at 09:43 AM
How I wish I would have the winning ticket
Posted by: Charlene Ryburn | October 21, 2018 at 07:52 AM
For the Lump Sum option, are taxes taken out before that amount or after you receive that amount? And do you have the option to opt out to remain anonymous if you are the winner of the jackpot? Thank you!
Posted by: D. Eral | October 21, 2018 at 05:27 AM