Christmas miracles, sure. But is there such a thing as a Christmas Eve miracle? Perhaps after Wednesday night's Powerball drawing, one lucky ticket holder will find out.
The Powerball jackpot has grown to $1.7 billion after no winner was called Monday night, becoming the fourth highest jackpot in Powerball history.
Wednesday's Powerball drawing will be the 47th in the current jackpot run, making it the longest run of drawings the prize has gone without being claimed, according to a release from the lottery.
"Much like the holidays, Powerball is a game that brings people together to dream big and hope for a brighter future," Matt Strawn, Powerball official and Iowa Lottery CEO, said in a statement. "We hope this growing jackpot inspires excitement and joy, and, most importantly, good will to all."
The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $781.3 million, Powerball officials said in the release.
Only in 2011 has the Powerball jackpot been won on Christmas Eve, according to the release. The jackpot has also been won four times on Christmas Day, in 1996, 2002, 2010 and 2013.
The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9, according to the release. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.
Monday night's drawing produced nine $1 million prize winners, 28 $100,000 prize winners and 107 $50,000 prize winners.
Powerball tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the release. They cost $2 each.
Wednesday's drawing will occur at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. The drawing is also livestreamed on Powerball's website.
