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Labor Day could bring more than a long holiday weekend. Someone could end up a millionaire, at least if they win Powerball’s jackpot, which has climbed to an estimated $1.1 billion annuity ($498.4 million cash), the fifth-largest in the game’s history.
Here’s what to know about how the Powerball works.
How much did Iowans win on Aug. 30?
Saturday’s Powerball included total prizes of $266,993 for Iowans, according to the Iowa Lottery. The winning numbers were 3-18-22-27-33, Powerball 17, Power Play 3.
Iowans purchased more than $2.28 million in tickets for the drawing, the Iowa Lottery said. The average ticket purchase? $6 per customer.
Powerball offers nine prize levels, not just the jackpot.
The Powerball jackpot for Sept. 1, 2025, is an estimated $1.1 billion.
Busting myths about the Powerball jackpot
Myth: The cash value is the annuity minus taxes.
Fact: With the annuity option, the winner receives 30 payments over 29 years, funded by investments, the Iowa Lottery said. Taxes are withheld from each payment.
With the cash option, the winner receives a one-time lump sum from ticket sales, according to the Iowa Lottery. Taxes are withheld upfront.
When are the Powerball drawings?
Powerball drawings are held three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, with the drawing broadcast live at 9:59 p.m. Central Time from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, the Iowa Lottery said.
Powerball added Monday drawings in August 2021, joining Wednesday and Saturday to boost jackpots and create more winners.
What is the cutoff time to buy tickets?
In Iowa, the sales cutoff time for Powerball tickets is 8:59 p.m. Central Time on the night of the drawing, according to the Iowa Lottery.
If you purchase a ticket after the 8:59 p.m. deadline, it will automatically be entered into the following drawing instead of the current one.
Some Powerball retailers, like Walmart, offer kiosks for buying Powerball and other lottery tickets.
How to play Powerball
First-time players can ask for an easy-pick Powerball ticket at the counter. The terminal randomly selects numbers. More than 90% of tickets are easy-pick tickets.
When did Iowa join Powerball?
Legislation creating Iowa’s lottery was signed into law in April 1985, according to the Iowa Lottery. The Iowa Lottery began sales on Aug. 22, 1985, with a kickoff celebration at the Iowa State Fair. Then, the Iowa Lottery joined Powerball in April 1992, with ticket sales starting on April 19 and the first drawing held on April 22.
Before Powerball, many states participated in Lotto America, which started in 1988. Iowa has participated in Lotto America since its original launch in 1988 and is also a current participant in the game’s revived version, Powerball
From 1992 through 2008, Powerball drawings were typically held in West Des Moines.
Who won the largest Powerball jackpot in Iowa?
The largest Powerball jackpot won in Iowa was in October 2018, when Lerynne West of Redfield claimed a $343.9 million prize. West split a $687.8 million jackpot with another winner from New York and opted for the $198.1 million cash lump-sum payout.
The Shipping 20, a group of 20 co-workers at the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, won a $241 million Powerball jackpot in June 2012.
Brian and Mary Lohse of Bondurant won a $202.1 million Powerball jackpot in October 2012.
Timothy Guderian of Fort Dodge claimed a $200.8 million Powerball jackpot in October 2006 through the Timothy B. Guderian Trust.
Hugh Hawkins of Des Moines won a Powerball jackpot worth $113.2 million in January 2006.
More: Who won the largest lottery jackpots in Iowa?
Where to buy Powerball tickets
To find a retailer that sells Powerball tickets, visit ialottery.com/Pages/AboutUs/FindARetailer.aspx.
How much is the Powerball jackpot worth?
To find out the current value of the Powerball and winning numbers, visit ialottery.com.
What does the Iowa portion of Powerball support?
Since 1985, players have won over $6.1 billion, and the lottery has raised more than $2.5 billion for state programs supporting veterans, first responders’ families, and other state programs, the Iowa Lottery said.
In 2024, the Iowa Lottery contributed $106.6 million to state causes, including the state’s general fund, which supports services like education and public safety; the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund, assisting veterans and their families; and the Public Safety Survivor Benefits Fund for families of peace officers and firefighters who die on duty, and the Department of Corrections Survivor Benefits Fund for families of staff killed in the line of duty.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What to know about the $1.1 billion Powerball jackpot drawing on Sept. 1
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