The biggest lottery prize in Australian history could soon be handed out with the clock counting down on Powerball’s looming $200 million draw.
The jackpot has jumped by $50 million from the previous week’s pool after no entries claimed the division-one prize in the past six draws.
About one in every two Australian adults are expected to purchase a ticket for the Thursday night draw, according to Powerball operator The Lott.
“We’re anticipating a rush online and in-store in the lead up to the record-breaking $200 million Powerball draw,” spokesman James Eddy said.
There were 7445 tickets bought in a single minute at the peak of sales for the previous $150 million draw.
Australians have until 7.30pm AEST to buy tickets before winners are announced at 8.30pm.
The latest draw tops the previous record-holding haul of $160 million on offer in a 2022 Powerball jackpot eventually shared between three people.
The lottery company encourages ticketholders to register a playing card or online account so winners can be contacted immediately.
The 20 Powerball division one winning entries in 2023 pocketed a combined $552 million in prize money.
– AAP