For Immediate Release: March 21, 2013                                       

Contact:  Communications Office, (518) 388-3415    Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

 New York's Powerball Jackpot Jumps to $320 Million for Saturday  

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- The New York Lottery today announced the jackpot for Saturday's Powerball drawing has been increased to $320,000,000. The $60,000,000 jump from Wednesday’s advertised jackpot is due to brisk sales across all participating Powerball states.

The new jackpot marks the sixth largest Powerball jackpot in the game's 20-year history. The largest Powerball jackpot to date was $587.5 million, won in Arizona and Missouri in November 2012.

If no one matches all five numbers plus the Powerball in Saturday night’s drawing, the jackpot will continue to grow.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing nearly $2.9 billion in fiscal year 2011-2012 to help support education in New York State.  The Lottery’s contribution represents nearly 15 percent of total state education aid to local school districts. 

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education.  It takes into account both a school district’s size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of Lottery school funding.

About the New York State Gaming Commission

The New York State Gaming Commission regulates all aspects of gaming and gambling activity in the state, including horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering, Class III Indian Gaming, video lottery terminal facilities at race tracks, the state lottery and charitable gaming.

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