Powerball jackpot one of largest in history

It pales in comparison to the record-setting $1.6 billion prize won in January, but tonight's Powerball jackpot is still one of the largest in the game's history.

The jackpot for Saturday's drawing stands at $415 million for the annuity, or $269.7 million for the cash option.

If won, that prize would be the seventh-largest in Powerball history. The jackpot would also be among the 10 largest lottery prizes ever, falling behind those Powerball wins, as well as two Mega Millions jackpots.

The pot has been rolling over since it was last won on March 2. A Florida man claimed the $291.4 million prize in that game.

Powerball frenzy peaked in January as ticket sales soared ahead of the Jan. 13 drawing, which carried the $1.6 billion prize.

That pot was split by three winning tickets, which were sold in California, Florida and Tennessee.

In the most recent Powerball drawing, no one in Pennsylvania or New Jersey won even the second-tier prize by matching all five white balls but missing the Powerball.

If no one wins on Saturday, which follows 18 consecutive drawings with no winner, the jackpot will grow to an estimated $525 million for Wednesday's numbers selection, Kelly Cripe, a Texas-based lottery spokeswoman, told Reuters.

The biggest amount won in the two states from Wednesday's game was $150,000 - a ticket sold in Luzerne matched four white balls and the Powerball and was purchased with the power play option.

That ticket was sold at the E Fuel at Route 534 and Interstate 80 in White Haven, Pennsylvania Lottery officials said.

The Mega Millions jackpot has also been rising for two months, though it hasn't climbed nearly as high as Powerball.

Because there was no winner Fridat night, the next drawing on Tuesday, May 10 will have an estimated jackpot of $150 million and cash option of $98 million.

Someone last won the Mega Millions jackpot on March 8.