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Powerball jackpot increases again to $1.5B on strong sales

Samir Akhter, the owner of Penn Branch Liquor, exchanges money for Powerball tickets, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 in Washington. Officials say it's increasingly likely that someone will win the $900 million Powerball jackpot, which grew by $100 million just hours before Saturday night's drawing. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Samir Akhter, the owner of Penn Branch Liquor, exchanges money for Powerball tickets, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 in Washington. Officials say it's increasingly likely that someone will win the $900 million Powerball jackpot, which grew by $100 million just hours before Saturday night's drawing. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

By Associated Press January 12, 2016 1 min read

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The world’s largest lottery jackpot has grown to $1.5 billion because of continuing strong Powerball ticket sales.

Lottery officials increased their estimate of the huge jackpot for the second day in a row Tuesday because of immense interest in the prize.

The record-breaking Powerball jackpot could grow yet more before Wednesday’s drawing if ticket sales continue to exceed expectations. Officials reassess the estimate daily.

The odds of matching all six numbers to win the jackpot are one in 292.2 million.

The $1.5 billion prize would be paid in annual payments over 29 years. Or the winner could opt for a lump-sum payment of $930 million.