Powerball jackpot now up to $500 million

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — What would you do with half a billion dollars? That’s a question someone may have to answer after tonight’s Powerball drawing.

According to a news release from the North Carolina Education Lottery, for the second time in two days, Powerball officials have increased the jackpot for the multi-state drawing due to strong ticket sales. The jackpot now stands at a $500 million annuity, which is worth $306 million cash. It’s the fourth largest payout in Powerball history.

Since Powerball started in North Carolina in 2006, four Tar Heel State players have won the jackpot, including Brunswick County’s Marie Holmes, who matched all the numbers for a $188 million drawing last February.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292 million.

Lottery officials say if there is not perfect ticket tonight, Saturday’s jackpot would pass the game’s record amount of $590.5 million set in May 2013.