For Immediate Release:                                       Contact:  Communications Office

September 16, 2013                                                                 (518) 388-3415

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - The jackpot for Wednesday’s Powerball drawing now stands at $400 million, an $83 million increase over Saturday's advertised jackpot of $317 million. The jackpot increase reflects very strong sales across all 43 participating states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The new jackpot is among the top four largest Powerball jackpots in the game’s 20-year history.

If no one matches all five numbers plus the Powerball in Wednesday’s drawing, the jackpot will continue to grow. The largest Powerball jackpot to date was $590.5 million, won in Florida for the May 18, 2013 drawing.

Tickets for Wednesday’s Powerball drawing can be purchased until 9 p.m. EST.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.04 billion in fiscal year 2012-2013 to help support education in New York State.  The Lottery’s contribution represents 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.