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The Latest: Powerball prize up to $1.5 billion, could grow

Commuters drive past a sign showing the Powerball jackpot in Wednesday's drawing is posted outside the Mobil Mart in Methuen, Mass., Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Commuters drive past a sign showing the Powerball jackpot in Wednesday's drawing is posted outside the Mobil Mart in Methuen, Mass., Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

By Associated Press January 13, 2016 1 min read

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The latest on Wednesday’s Powerball drawing:

1 a.m.

The largest lottery jackpot in the world is up for grabs in the latest Powerball drawing.

The prize has climbed to an estimated $1.5 billion, easily surpassing all other lotteries. The jackpot estimate is reviewed daily, so it could increase before Wednesday night’s drawing if ticket sales continue to exceed expectations.

The jackpot for the twice-weekly game started at $40 million on Nov. 4. No one has matched all six Powerball numbers since then, so the prize kept growing.

Lottery officials expect at least 80 percent of the 292.2 million number combinations will be purchased before the drawing.