$775M Powerball jackpot makes it second-biggest prize of 2025

The Powerball jackpot has climbed to $775 million with a cash value of $362.5 million. After Monday's drawing produced no top prize winner, the pot now ranks as the eighth-largest in Powerball history and the second-largest jackpot of 2025.

What happens if no one wins tonight? The jackpot is expected to approach or cross the $800 million threshold.

Three $1 million winners on Monday

Monday's December 1st Powerball drawing produced three Match 5/5 winners in California, Georgia, and Illinois. Each ticket holder will collect $1 million. No one purchased the Power Play option for the Match 5/5 prize, which would have doubled their winnings to $2 million.

When are Powerball draws held?

Powerball drawings occur at 7:59 p.m. PT every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Ticket sales close at 6:45 p.m. PT on draw days and resume at 6:46 p.m. the same evening.

Players can add Double Play for $1, which offers a second-chance drawing with prizes up to $10 million. The Power Play option, also $1, multiplies non-jackpot winnings by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times based on a random draw. Power Play automatically increases the Match 5 prize to $2 million regardless of the multiplier drawn.

How does this jackpot compare?

Tonight's $775 million prize trails only one other Powerball jackpot this year: the $1.7 billion prize split between Missouri and Texas winners on September 6.

The odds of winning remain steep at 1 in 292.2 million. Size doesn't change your chances.

Are billion-dollar jackpots the new normal?

Yes. The billion-dollar jackpot has become more routine.

In the past five years, Mega Millions and Powerball have crossed the $1 billion mark ten times. Three of those occurred in 2023. Two happened in 2024.

The largest lottery jackpot in history hit $2.04 billion in November 2022. Before 2022, billion-dollar jackpots appeared only in 2021, 2018, and 2016.

Top 10 Powerball jackpots

Here's where the biggest prizes landed:

• $2.040 billion - November 7, 2022 - California
• $1.787 billion - September 6, 2025 - Missouri, Texas
• $1.765 billion - October 11, 2023 - California
• $1.586 billion - January 13, 2016 - California, Florida, Tennessee
• $1.326 billion - April 6, 2024 - Oregon
• $1.080 billion - July 19, 2023 - California
• $842.4 million - January 1, 2024 - Michigan
• $768.4 million - March 27, 2019 - Wisconsin
• $758.7 million - August 23, 2017 - Massachusetts
• $754.6 million - February 6, 2023 - Washington

How to play Powerball

1. Pick your numbers: Use a play slip, speak to your retailer, or buy through an Illinois Lottery vending machine. Each game costs $2.
2. Select five numbers: Choose numbers between 1 and 69 or select Quick Pick for random selection.
3. Pick your Powerball number: Choose one number between 1 and 26 or select Quick Pick.
4. Add Power Play: For an additional $1 per game, Power Play multiplies non-jackpot winnings by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times. It automatically increases the Match 5 prize to $2 million.
5. Play multiple draws: Mark the indicated spot on your play slip or select the option on a vending machine.
6. Complete your purchase: Confirm your selections with your retailer and pay. On vending machines, add funds before making selections, then press the purchase button.
7. Check your ticket: Review your ticket immediately. Keep it safe until the drawing.

Enjoy Powerball, and please play responsibly.