DES MOINES, Iowa — Two Powerball tickets sold in Missouri and Texas will split a $1.8 billion jackpot after both matched all six numbers in the latest drawing, lottery officials said Monday.
The two winning tickets will divide the advertised jackpot, leaving each ticket-holder with roughly half of the prize before federal and state taxes and any other withholdings, officials said. The winners have the customary options under Powerball rules to select a one-time lump-sum payment or an annuity paid over time.
State lottery officials in Missouri and Texas confirmed that winning tickets for the drawing were sold in their jurisdictions but did not immediately provide identifying information about the purchasers. Lottery authorities typically withhold winners’ names if they request anonymity and provide details only after winners have claimed their prizes and completed any required paperwork.
The Powerball jackpot had climbed through multiple drawings before producing winners. Large multi-state jackpots have drawn heavy public interest and increased ticket sales in the days leading up to a win, lottery officials and analysts say.
Powerball is played across participating jurisdictions in the United States, and the game’s top prize is paid as either an annuity or a reduced lump-sum cash option. Federal taxes apply to lottery prizes, and winners may also face state income taxes depending on where they live and where the ticket was purchased.
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are about 1 in 292.2 million. Large jackpots such as this one are relatively rare but have occurred several times in recent years, often prompting extended media coverage and long lines at retail locations selling tickets.
Lottery officials said they will provide more information after the winners come forward to claim their prizes and complete the required verification process. Claiming requirements and timelines vary by state, and winners are advised to consult with financial and legal advisers as they plan how to collect and manage large lottery winnings.
The split win ends a run of rollovers that had driven the prize to $1.8 billion, marking one of the largest Powerball jackpots in recent years. State lotteries typically release additional details following prize claims, including the exact cash-option amounts and the names or locations of the stores that sold the winning tickets when disclosure rules allow.