LANSING, MI -- Powerball officials have raised the estimated jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing to a near-record $1.8 billion. The estimated grand prize is the second-largest lottery jackpot ever in the U.S., trailing only the world record $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot won in California in 2022 .

The cash option for the $1.8 billion jackpot is $826.4 million. Both prize totals are before tax. If the winner elects to receive the annuity, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year.

There have been 41 consecutive drawings without a grand-prize winner, leading to the extraordinary jackpot for Sept. 6.

The last time the jackpot was won came on May 31, when a player in California matched all five white balls and the red Powerb

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