Powerball Jackpot Hits $353M: St. Patrick's Day Luck?

The Powerball jackpot has climbed to a staggering $353 million for the Wednesday, March 12 draw, just days before St. Patrick's Day. This surge in prize money has lottery enthusiasts buzzing with excitement.

Key Takeaways:

• Powerball jackpot reaches $353 million for March 12 draw
• Winners have 180 days to claim prizes in Florida
• Recent lottery history includes 12 billion-dollar jackpots

The midweek Powerball draw is set to captivate lottery players across the nation as the jackpot swells to $353 million. This substantial sum comes with a one-time lump sum option of $165.7 million, according to Powerball online. The drawing will take place at 11 p.m. EST, maintaining the game's tradition of Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday night draws.

For potential winners in Florida, it's crucial to note the claiming period. Prizes must be claimed within 180 days from the drawing date. Those opting for the single-payment cash option have a narrower window of 60 days after the draw to make their claim. These timeframes are essential for winners to keep in mind to avoid missing out on their fortunes.

The odds of matching all six numbers in Powerball stand at 1 in 292.2 million. While these odds might seem daunting, they haven't deterred players from participating in the game that has produced some of the largest jackpots in lottery history.

Speaking of history, the current Powerball streak began after a ticket purchased in Oregon matched all numbers on January 18, 2025, claiming a $331 million prize. Since then, the jackpot has steadily grown, attracting more players with each rollover.

Lottery enthusiasts might be interested to know that as of March 12, 2025, there have been 12 lottery jackpots that have reached or surpassed the billion-dollar mark. The largest of these was the November 7, 2022 Powerball draw, which awarded a mind-boggling $2.04 billion to a single winner in California.

The current $353 million jackpot, while impressive, still has a way to go before it reaches the top 10 Powerball jackpots of all time. The smallest of these top 10 prizes stands at $731.1 million, won by a ticket holder in Maryland on January 20, 2021.

As players across the country check their tickets and dream of hitting the jackpot, it's worth remembering that even smaller prizes can be life-changing. Powerball offers various prize tiers, with rewards starting from $4 for matching just the Powerball number.

With St. Patrick's Day approaching, some players might be feeling particularly lucky. However, it's important to play responsibly and within one's means, regardless of the jackpot size or holiday spirit.

As the clock ticks down to the Wednesday night draw, lottery retailers are likely to see an uptick in ticket sales. Whether this draw will produce a jackpot winner or lead to another rollover remains to be seen. Either way, the Powerball continues to capture the imagination of millions, offering a chance at a life-changing sum for the price of a $2 ticket.