The Lotto Matrix: Powerball Hits The Full Billion Again!

First Things First

How much is Saturday’s Powerball jackpot drawing worth? Switching up the order here because Lotto Matrix knows what you want, what you really, really want, and what you want is a “Grown-Ass Man” $1 billion jackpot.

The cash option for those who want to immediately leave the world behind is $457.7 million. That $1 billion figure likely will be revised slightly upward based on ticket sales ahead of the drawing, but another three rollovers since last week’s Matrix returned us to the promised land for the second time this year.

There have been 41 rollovers since the $1.787 billion jackpot for the Sept. 6 drawing was split by winners in Missouri and Texas. Despite no grand jackpot winner, the streak of drawings with at least one ticket matching all five numbers extended to 13 as the previous three drawings had eight such winners. There have been 30 millionaires minted in that stretch, 14 of which have come in the first five drawings of December.

This is the seventh $1 billion Powerball jackpot all-time, and a rollover to Monday would likely move the top prize into sixth place ahead of the $1.08 billion won July 19, 2023, in California.

How much is Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot drawing worth? Mega Millions is at a pedestrian $70 million following two rollovers after the Dec. 2 reset when a New Jersey player claimed a $90 million jackpot. The good news is a four-drawing drought of second-prize winners ended last Friday night when a California player matched five numbers, and the resulting payout due to the state’s pari-mutuel system based on ticket sales, the winner claimed $5.1 million.

That was the largest prize this year in the Golden State for any ticket that matched five numbers for Mega Millions and the second-largest all-time. The record is a $7.7 million payout from the June 17, 2022 drawing.

Early New Jersey jackpot aside, it has been slow goings for Mega Millions winners in December. Three drawings have produced only eight tickets that matched four numbers plus the Mega Ball, paying out a combined $180,000.

Montreal woman opts for what she hopes is the loooooong game

So what would you take: $1,000 CAD a week for the rest of your life or $1 million CAD in a lump sum?

That was the decision facing Brenda Aubun-Vega after she won Loto-Québec’s Gagnant à vie top prize Gagnant à vie top prize in July. The 20-year-old Aubun-Vega opted for the weekly checks, currently worth $726.10 in U.S. dollars, and the choice renewed a viral debate on social media over what option is better.

Some people claimed she would have made more money taking the CAD $1 million ($726,111) lump sum and investing it, claiming she would need to have a return on investment of greater than 5.1% to match 60 years of payments. Others countered that should she meet the average life expectancy of a female, which is currently 84 years old, Aubun-Vega would wind up with more than CAD $3.3 million ($2.42 million).

Michigan Lottery gets new commish

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer named Joe Froehlich acting commissioner of the Michigan Lottery on Monday after Suzanna Shkreli resigned to run for secretary of state. Froehlich has held several positions with the agency and was chief operating officer, deputy commissioner of legal affairs and charitable gaming, and director of compliance and legal Affairs when Whitmer tabbed him this week.

“The Michigan Lottery helps us make record investments every year into our schools, and their success is supported by a team of professionals who ensure our games are run smoothly,” Whitmer said in a statement. “I’m proud to announce Joe Froehlich as acting commissioner of the Michigan Lottery, ensuring a seamless transition as Suzanna Shkreli resigns effective today. The incredible team at the Michigan Lottery will continue working together to run our games effectively and with full integrity.”

The Michigan Lottery totaled $4.7 billion in sales in Fiscal Year 2024, with prize money totaling approximately $3 billion. It contributed more than $1.2 billion to the School Aid Fund in FY 2024.

Cali scratch fever

The California Lottery this week reported five $1 million payouts on scratch-off tickets as multiple winners stepped forward to claim prizes won playing 50X The Cash Scratchers and Power 10s.

Latriece Presentine, who won back in August, told lottery officials she purchased her ticket in Compton the day before her birthday. Her previous best win on a scratcher was $1,000, but sticking to her routine of buying two $10 scratchers every morning while getting her daily donut paid off in staggering fashion.

“I couldn’t believe it,” recalled Presentine. “I kept looking and looking at the ticket, and I was like, ‘God, for real God? This is how you’re doing me a day before my birthday?”

Presentine said she will pay off some debt, purchase a car, and put a down payment on a house with her winnings. Arcos in Los Altos and Oxnard also produced $1 million winners, and another donut store, Florence Donuts in Los Angeles, also had a seven-figure scratch-off winner. The fifth winner purchased their ticket at a 7-Eleven in Brentwood.

Newsworthy nuggets

Cash Pop hits the Keystone State: Brightstar Lottery announced Wednesday that Cash Pop is now available through the Pennsylvania Lottery. Cash Pop, which has daily drawings at 9 a.m., 1:35 p.m., 6:59 p.m., and 11 p.m. local time, has price points of $1, $2, $5, $10, and $20.

Pennsylvania becomes the 17th state where Cash Pop can be played and the first to launch with a $20 price point. Neighboring New Jersey was the first to introduce a $20 option in November 2024.

“Brightstar’s Cash Pop game will enhance the Pennsylvania Lottery’s draw-game portfolio and engage new players with its easy-to-play game mechanics,” said Drew Svitko, Pennsylvania Lottery executive director. “We believe the game’s personalized gameplay experiences will resonate with our players and enable us to generate more funds for programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians.”

That’s a lot of potatoes: The Idaho Lottery announced Friday that all 500,000 tickets for its $1 million raffle have been sold. The raffle, which launched in late October, will have two grand winners for the second straight year. Lesser prizes of $100,000 and $50,000 are also available.

Despite two $1 million prizes being available for the first time last year, one winning ticket was never claimed. The drawing will be held Dec. 29 at 5:59 p.m. local time.

Who has the biggest active individual state lotto jackpot in the land? All eyes continue to be on the Wolverine State as its largest Lotto 47 jackpot in state history has reached $29.8 million for Saturday night. That was a jump of 21.1% from last week when it was $24.6 million.

New York retained the shotgun seat for another week as the Empire State has a $12.8 million grand prize available. California grabs the final podium spot this week, reaching eight figures at $10 million following a fourth rollover since a $12 million jackpot was claimed Nov. 29.

Illinois ($8.9 million) and Massachusetts ($8.55 million) again complete the top five for state-run lotteries. Ohio fell by the wayside after a winning ticket for last Saturday’s $11.4 million drawing was sold just north of Dayton.

The multi-state Lotto America has a $9.3 million jackpot up for grabs Saturday night with a cash option of $4.28 million available.

Until next week, dream big, check your numbers, keep your tickets where you can find them, and play responsibly!