SEATTLE — The world's largest lottery jackpot grew to $1.5 billion because of continuing strong Powerball ticket sales.
Lottery officials increased their estimate of the huge jackpot for the second day in a row Tuesday because of immense interest in the prize.
The winning numbers were drawn on Wednesday. [WINNING NUMBERS: [8, 27, 34, 4, 19 and the Powerball is 10.]
The California Lottery announced over Twitter they had a jackpot-winning ticket reported.
Other states' results were still coming in.
HISTORIC #POWERBALL: The Powerball jackpot has now reached $1.5 billion—the largest ever. How much money will you put toward tickets?
Posted by KIRO 7 News on Tuesday, January 12, 2016
The record-breaking Powerball jackpot exceeded expectations.
How do you play?
You choose five numbers between 1 and 69, then one “Powerball” number between 1 and 26. The drawing consists of five “white” balls being drawn, then one “red” ball -- the Powerball – being chosen.
How do you win?
There are a few ways. Match all the "white" numbers and match the Powerball and you win the grand prize. In Wednesday's case, approximately $1.5 billion. Match five numbers without the Powerball and win $1 million; match four plus the Powerball and you get $50,000; match three and the Powerball and you get $100; match three without the Powerball and you get $7; match two and the Powerball and you get $7; match one and the Powerball and you get $4; match the Powerball and you get $4.
Winning tickets purchased in Washington can only be claimed in Washington. All claims arising out of a Powerball win must be made in the state where the ticket was purchased.
How much does it cost?
Tickets are $2. You can "upgrade" the ticket to something that increases the potential prize amounts. It's called a "Power Play" and it costs an addition $1 per ticket. Click here to see the potential additional winnings.
As they say, "Past performance is no guarantee of future results..." but I just simulated playing Powerball 50,000...
Posted by Morgan Palmer on Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Officials reassess the jackpot estimate daily.
No one matched all six Powerball numbers Saturday night, leading to Wednesday's enormous prize.
The huge jackpot forced many convenience stores to bring in extra clerks to keep lines moving, hoping that people wanting Powerball tickets will decide to also buy a snack or something else in the store.
"When the jackpots get big like this, it creates a frenzy," said Brian Johnson, vice president of finance at Casey's General Stores, which runs 1,900 stores in 14 states.
QuikTrip spokesman Mike Thornbrugh said the lottery crowd can really wear out clerks if the lines are constant, so the chain of more than 700 stores will have extra staff Wednesday.
He said QuikTrip stores have been busy for nearly two weeks since Powerball's jackpot first climbed into ridiculous levels.
"It's been fun, but somebody needs to win," Thornbrugh said.
The odds of matching all six numbers to win the jackpot are one in 292.2 million.
The $1.5 billion prize would be paid in annual payments over 29 years. Or the winner could opt for a lump-sum payment of $930 million.
Whoever wins will have to pay 39.6 percent of the prize in federal income taxes, and any state taxes. Lottery officials expect at least 80 percent of the 292.2 million number combinations will be purchased before Wednesday's drawing.
That increases the chances — but doesn't guarantee — that someone will win the jackpot.
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[The Associated Press contributed to this story.]