USA Powerball jackpot ‘could smash records’ – February 9th 2012

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The USA Powerball has got lottery fans all over the world fizzling with excitement, as the famous jackpot has rolled over yet again, inching the top prize closer to record-smashing heights.

Last night (February 8th), the top payout went unclaimed following the draw and now the sum is expected to go to a single ticketholder if their luck comes in on Saturday (February 11th) is $310 million.

Not only would this fortunate lotto fan be the first USA Powerball jackpot winner this year and the only person to take home the top prize after the new system for the game kicked in last month, but they would also break lottery records.

A $310 million fortune would make a single winner the second-wealthiest sole ticketholder in the world, with the largest top prize ever to be won by one person being the cool $340 million which was claimed by Oregon man Steve West in 2006.

This amazing payout is the largest ever seen in the history of the USA Powerball lottery, but the world’s biggest jackpot was taken home by two USA Mega Millions players.

In 2007, 52-year-old Eddie Nabors from Georgia and 57-year-old Harold Messner from New Jersey shared the record-breaking $390 million top prize – which is the wealthiest prize any lottery player has ever won in a weekly lotto draw.

So, with the next USA Powerball jackpot reaching the $310 million mark, it may not take too long for this jackpot to overtake these previous benchmarks, especially as the new system ensures the prizes on offer are more tempting than ever before.

As of January 15th this year, the USAPowerball changed the way it operates so that with every rollover the top prize increases by $10 million and after this has been claimed, the jumbo payout is reset at $40 million.

And in addition to increasing all the prizes available to players, their odds have also improved, as the lottery has reduced the number range for its Power Ball to 1-35 from 1-39, while its main number matrix is staying the same at 1-59.

Fans might want to get involved in time for Saturday’s draw at theLotter where they can check results and learn more.