COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Powerball jackpot surged to an estimated $1.25 billion after no ticket matched all six numbers in Monday night’s drawing, lottery officials said, extending one of the longest jackpot runs in the game’s history.
While the top prize went unclaimed, three tickets sold in Ohio each won $50,000, highlighting a night of widespread but smaller victories across the country.
The next drawing is scheduled for Wednesday night, with an estimated cash option of $572.1 million. Officials said the growing jackpot represents the second largest Powerball prize so far this year and only the second time the game has produced back to back billion dollar jackpots.
According to Powerball officials, Monday’s winning numbers were white balls 23, 35, 59, 63 and 68, with the red Powerball two. The Power Play multiplier was four. No ticket matched all six numbers, continuing a streak that has fueled national attention and heavy ticket sales.
Despite the absence of a jackpot winner, two tickets sold in Arizona and California matched all five white balls to claim $1 million prizes. An additional fourteen tickets won $200,000 and forty three tickets won $50,000, including the three Powerball Ohio winners.
“Even when the jackpot rolls, thousands of players still take home meaningful prizes,” said Matt Strawn, the Iowa Lottery CEO and chair of the Powerball Product Group. “That’s part of what keeps interest high as the jackpot grows.”
Lottery analysts said the current run reflects changes made to the game in recent years, including longer odds that allow jackpots to grow larger and faster.
“The structure of Powerball today is designed to create these headline-grabbing moments,” said Daniel Brooks, a gaming economist at Midwest State University.
“Billion dollar jackpots are no longer once in a generation events. They’re becoming part of a new normal, though still statistically rare.”
Brooks added that while the odds of winning the jackpot remain roughly one in 292 million, mid tier prizes such as those claimed by the Powerball Ohio winners are far more common and often overlooked in public discussion.
Lottery officials said this is only the second time in Powerball history that back to back billion-dollar jackpots have occurred. The previous instance happened several years ago following a similar stretch without a top winner.
So far this year, Powerball jackpots have crossed the billion dollar threshold twice, reflecting sustained ticket sales across participating states.
Ohio remains one of the more active Powerball states by volume, regularly producing secondary prize winners even when jackpots roll over.
Historically, Ohio has seen multiple large Powerball wins, though a jackpot win in the state remains elusive during the current run.
For some Ohio players, the three $50,000 prizes offered a reminder that life-changing sums do not always require matching every number.
“I check my tickets for the smaller prizes too,” said Mark Ellison, a retail clerk in Dayton who regularly sells lottery tickets. “People come in talking about the billion, but when someone realizes they’ve won fifty thousand dollars, that reaction is just as real.”
Linda Perez, a Columbus resident who plays occasionally, said the rising jackpot adds excitement but does not change her habits. “I buy one ticket when it gets big,” she said. “If I win something smaller, great. If not, I’m out two dollars.”
The next Powerball drawing on Wednesday night is expected to draw heightened interest nationwide as the jackpot climbs toward historic territory. Lottery officials urged players to participate responsibly and within their means.
“A single two dollar ticket gives players a chance to dream while also supporting public programs funded by lottery proceeds,” Strawn said. “That balance is important, especially during the holidays.”
If no one wins Wednesday night, the jackpot would continue to grow, potentially setting additional records.
As the Powerball jackpot rises to $1.25 billion, the latest drawing underscores both the rarity of a top prize and the steady stream of secondary winners across the country.
For Ohio, the emergence of three $50,000 tickets places the state among dozens sharing in Monday night’s outcomes.
With another drawing ahead, officials said the focus remains on responsible play and the continued impact of lottery revenues, even as attention centers on the soaring jackpot.
