What Time is the Powerball Drawing?

After the Powerball jackpot soared to $1.326 billion, everyone was looking for the winning numbers.

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Are you one of those people who dreams of winning big in the Powerball lottery? The most recent estimated jackpot was a staggering $1.326 billion, which could instantly change lives.

Due to this, millions of people across the United States eagerly await the draw days. But do you know when the Powerball draw will take place and how much you can win? Read on.


Related: Powerball After Taxes: How Much Will the Winner Take Home?

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Powerball drawing days

First, mark your calendars for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays because those are the Powerball drawing days. The draw happens at 10:59 p.m. ET, 

Powerball drawings are broadcast live on the lottery's website and YouTube channel.

How much is a Powerball ticket?

A single Powerball ticket costs $2. Tickets are readily available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah don’t participate in Powerball.

How late can you buy a Powerball ticket?

Different states pause Powerball ticket sales at different times. In most states, the Powerball cut-off time is an hour before the drawing. Check with your local lottery to ensure you don’t miss out on a chance to play.

Powerball prize today

Lottery jackpots are gaining a reputation for their enormous payouts, which often make the news. For instance, the April 6 estimated Powerball jackpot was $1.326 billion. The advertised cash value of the jackpot changes with each draw, which adds to the excitement of the game.

The Oregon winner is looking at an estimated payout is $621.0 million. Just last month, Mega Millions had a jackpot of $1.3 billion. However, it's important to remember that lottery winners will have to pay hefty federal taxes, and depending on the ticket purchase location, they may also have to pay some state taxes. (Some states won't tax your lottery winnings.)

Of course, we can't ignore the odds. Lately, massive Powerball jackpots have happened more often than you might think. Despite the odds of winning being one in 292.2 million, recent jackpot wins ranging from $2.04 billion to $1.765 billion show that the Powerball fortune seems to favor the hopeful.

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Kelley R. Taylor
Senior Tax Editor, Kiplinger.com

As the senior tax editor at Kiplinger.com, Kelley R. Taylor simplifies federal and state tax information, news, and developments to help empower readers. Kelley has over two decades of experience advising on and covering education, law, finance, and tax as a corporate attorney and business journalist.