TACOMA, Wash. — Tonight, lottery players from across the US will try to catch the biggest prize in Powerball history.
The jackpot started off at $20 million dollars on Aug. 6, and swelled up to $1.9 billion dollars, almost $400 million larger than the previous record jackpot.
Whoever wins tonight’s drawing could opt for a lump sum payment of around $929 million, but the odds of winning are astronomical: one in 292.2 million.
So we asked Tacoma: what would you do with almost a billion dollars?
“I’d try and find good housing, I never owned a house or anything, so getting that opportunity would be awesome,” said Kevin K. a student at Tacoma Community College.
“If something was given to me, and I felt so grateful, I’d want to give something back,” said Dominique Haye.
“Whoever plays it, I hope they put it to good use, I hope they give back, and help the community, and I hope one of my family members gets it!" said Pierce County resident Ms. Juliet.
If no one wins the jackpot on Monday night, the Powerball lottery will reach a new record: 41 draws without anyone matching all six numbers.
Assuming the winner chooses the cash option, over one-third of it would be withheld for federal taxes, including any local taxes imposed on the winnings.