Community Corner

Powerball Lottery Rolls into California

Tickets for the multi-state mega-lottery went on sale Monday.

Are you ready for a little ball? Powerball, that is.

For the first time California residents have a chance to participate in the multi-state, mega-jackpot Powerball lottery which, until now, has eluded gamblers in the Golden State.

Starting Monday, April 8, the California Lottery Commission is selling Powerball tickets at $2 each. The first Powerball draw which will include California ticket sales will be Wednesday, April 10. Draws will close every Wednesday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and winning numbers will be drawn at 7:59 p.m.

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California is the 43rd state to authorize Powerball games. Although the drawing usually occurs in Florida, this Wednesday’s drawing will take place in Sacramento to mark California’s entry into the game.

Tickets are available wherever lottery tickets are currently sold.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Powerball jackpot starts at $40 million and jumps another $10 million after each drawing if there isn’t a top winner. The rules are simple: players pick five numbers between 1 and 59, and then a Powerball number from 1 to 35. The top prize is awarded to the ticketholder who correctly selected all six numbers. If there is more than one top winner, the jackpot is divided equally among them.

The estimated jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing is about $60 million.

Here are the top five Powerball jackpots so far:

  • $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012
    Winning tickets sold in Missouri and Arizona
  • $365 million, Feb. 18, 2006
    Winning ticket sold in Nebraska
  • $340 million, Oct. 19, 2005
    Winning ticket sold in Oregon
  • $337 million, Aug. 15, 2012
    Winning ticket sold in Michigan
  • $336.4 million, Feb. 11, 2012
    Winning ticket sold in Rhode Island

Are you planning to buy Powerball tickets? Tell us what you think in the comments area below.


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