Stay ahead of the curve as a political insider with deep policy analysis, daily briefings and policy-shaping tools.
Request a Demo
Powerball is up to $1 billion, but what does that mean for you?
For only the third time in lottery history, the Powerball jackpot has hit $1 billion in Georgia and you’re probably crafting that nice “I’m outta here” note to give to your boss after Wednesday’s drawing.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?
Keep the altruistic part of your mind open and remember the lottery finances not only your wildest dreams but educational aspirations for Georgians as well.
Since 1992 when it first started, the Georgia Lottery Corp. has paid out $25.7 billion to the state for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs, including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship program and Georgia’s Pre-K program. Over 2.1 million students have received HOPE and more than 1.7 million 4-year-olds have attended the state’s voluntary prekindergarten program.
Powerball has yielded nearly $5.95 million in prizes for winners and nearly $19 million for educational programs since the jackpot began growing after the last drawing. No one won the big jackpot in Monday’s game, but someone in Georgia is $2 million richer.
In similar fashion, Mega Millions has distributed over $3.9 million in prizes and $14.3 million for educational programs since the last drawing. [No one won Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing, pushing the jackpot to an estimated $720 million.]
Just so you know: Your odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 292,201,338 to 1.
What the heck, I’m off to get my ticket…
Have questions, comments or tips? Contact Tammy Joyner on Twitter @lvjoyner or at [email protected].
Twitter @StateAffairsGA
Facebook @stateaffairsUS
Instagram @stateaffairsGA
LinkedIn @stateaffairs
Check out more stories on the Georgia Lottery and the education programs it funds:
Header photo: For the third time in Georgia Lottery history, the Powerball jackpot tops $1 billion. (Credit: Beau Evans)
Latest Stories
Georgia defies bomb threats as election chief declares a “free, fair and fast” vote amid record turnout
ATLANTA – Despite dealing with over 60 bomb threats, Georgia’s election chief said Tuesday the state’s general election went smoothly. Georgia had a record turnout with nearly 5.3 million people voting, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told reporters. Election officials in the state’s 159 counties have until 5 p.m. to certify votes. “We had a …
In the (state)house: Meet the newest members of the Georgia legislature
When lawmakers reconvene at the state Capitol on Jan. 13, there’ll be a cadre of new faces in the 236-member Georgia General Assembly, one of the nation’s largest state legislatures. All 236 statehouse seats were up for election this year. Most candidates ran unopposed. Incumbents in contested races easily kept their seats, with the exception …
2 young Democrats win Statehouse seats as Republicans hold majority
ATLANTA — Many Statehouse incumbents appeared to beat back challengers Tuesday, ensuring their return to the Capitol in January. Republicans retain control of the House and Senate. Two Generation Z candidates will join the 236-member Legislature as new members of the House of Representatives: Democrats Bryce Berry and Gabriel Sanchez. Berry, a 22-year-old Atlanta middle …
Election night 2024: What to watch for as the results roll in
It’s been a long time coming, but we’ve finally made it to Election Day 2024. Today’s most anticipated race is, of course, the presidential contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The pair have spent a combined $25 million in new media ads alone in the past two weeks in this …