Powerball jackpots are about to be much larger. Reporter explains.
USA TODAY’s Fernando Cervantes explains the historic agreement with the UK National Lottery.
The Powerball numbers drawn Wednesday, April 29 aligned with common player patterns on playslips and led to dozens of tickets winning at least $1 million, according to a Powerball news release.
Sixty-two tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million each. Notably, 14 were sold in Indiana and another 14 in New Jersey.
An additional 27 tickets that matched all five white balls and included the Power Play option, doubling the prize to $2 million each. Those tickets included five sold in Indiana, five in Louisiana and five in New Jersey.
The white ball numbers drawn – 3, 19, 35, 51 and 67 – all increased by 16. That numerical patten sometimes aligns on states’ Powerball bet slips, including in Indiana and New Jersey.
“Players who select their own Powerball numbers often create patterns when using playslips,” according to the Powerball news release. “In this case the winning white ball numbers were in a singular column on many lottery playslips. As players are coming forward to claim their millions, we are learning that many used that very pattern as their special way of picking their winning numbers.”
Two tickets also matched the white balls and the Powerball 15 to win and split the $143.4 million jackpot prize. Those tickets were sold in Indiana and Kansas.
The Powerball release also assured players the drawing was completed with the presence of an independent auditing firm, which reviews and confirms compliance with all draw and security protocols.
“What a night for Powerball players! We are thrilled with these exciting draw results!” Matt Strawn, Powerball chair, said in the release. “Thank you to all our players, and congratulations to the ticketholders who woke up millionaires!”
