CONCORD – Saturday’s Powerball jackpot is now expected to be the largest lottery jackpot in world history with an estimated $1.6 billion on the line. The New Hampshire Lottery expects the one-time cash payout to reach $782.4 million. (Estimated jackpot amounts are determined before taxes are withheld.)

“Come Saturday, we fully expect the New Hampshire Powerball jackpot to reach $1.6 billion–the largest jackpot the world has ever seen–and we are absolutely ecstatic for our New Hampshire players and retailers,” said Charlie McIntyre, Executive Director, New Hampshire Lottery. “Sales momentum has been off the charts both for our retailers and NH iLottery, and we expect that momentum to continue right up to the drawing Saturday night. We are projecting more than $6.5 million in Powerball sales this week alone. This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime, and we do not want any of our New Hampshire players to miss out–make sure to purchase your tickets before it’s too late!”

Powerball drawing results from Wednesday, November 2, were: 02-11-22-35-60 PB-23 with a Power Play of 2.

In January 2016, the Powerball jackpot reached $1.586 billion and the Mega Millions jackpot reached $1.537 billion in October 2018–the only two other times a lottery jackpot has exceeded the $1.5 billion mark. Saturday’s drawing would be the 40th Powerball drawing since the last jackpot was won on August 3 in Pennsylvania, when a lucky player purchased a $206.9 million winning ticket.

The top-10 jackpots in U.S. lottery history are:

$1.6 billion, Powerball, November 5, 2022 (anticipated)

$1.586 billion, Powerball, January 13, 2016

$1.537 billion, Mega Millions, October 23, 2018

$1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022

$1.05 billion, Mega Millions, January 22, 2021

$768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019

$758.7 million, Powerball, August 23, 2017

$731.1 million, Powerball, January 20, 2021

$699.8 million, Powerball, October 4, 2021

$687.8 million, Powerball, October 27, 2018

“While we are certainly caught up in the excitement of this huge jackpot, we are also constantly reminding our players to play responsibly,” McIntyre added. “It only takes one to win!”

Powerball drawings are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 PM.

Tickets are on sale at more than 1,200 retailers statewide, and online at NH iLottery. For more information and to play, visit www.nhlottery.com.