The rise of the recent Powerball jackpot has caught the attention of millions. With prize numbers as large as they have ever been, the odds are stacked against players' chances of taking home the money. This astronomical sum has led many Americans to fantasize about what they would do if they won the jackpot.
It is no secret that Americans tend to have a high desire for money. Some sacrifice hundreds each year on the chance to win the lottery. As the quest to win Powerball drives people to purchase their weekly tickets, the unlikely paradox remains that as the pot grows, one's chance of winning continues to get smaller.
The largest prize won in recent history was $2.04 billion from Powerball in November of 2022. As of this article, the Powerball jackpot stands at an estimated $70 million. This huge amount of money has led many to think about the things they could do if they won the prize money.
Many dream of buying a brand new car, mansion, or taking a trip around the world. While others would pay off loans, bills, and invest in the money. With the amount of things one could do or buy with 70 million dollars, the possibilities are endless.
Newtown High School staff and students offer mixed responses to what they would do with the Powerball jackpot.
“If I won Powerball I first put away money for college, but then I would buy a new car. I would also give some to my grandparents and my friends,” NHS senior Makenzie DelPozo said.
Delpozo believes that it would be important to make financially smart decisions when choosing what to do with this large of an amount of money. She feels that putting away money before splurging is the wisest way to go about handing the prize.
“I would try to buy a major league sports team or huge company so that I make even more money,” NHS senior Connor Muir said.
Muir feels that many big lottery winners end up losing money in the long run because of poor spending habits.
“Whenever I play I normally go in with a group of friends. If we won I would retire from my job, but I would love to volunteer at a children’s hospital. I would also buy a house in Cape Cod,” NHS math teacher Deborah Holt said.
Holt mentioned that she would anonymously claim the prize to avoid complications.
“If I won Powerball I would save the majority of it, like over 70 percent of it, but then I would go to the mall with the rest,” NHS Madison Griffin said.
Griffin mentioned that although she does not feel she has good spending habits, she would definitely still save most of the money.
“I don’t even really know where Powerball came from or how it works, but I still bought three tickets for it because a lot of money is involved in it,” NHS junior Elizabeth Macey said.
Macey believes that although there is a very small chance of winning, it is still worth the gamble.
After Lotto America, a multi-state lottery was rebranded in April of 1992, the first powerball tickets went on sale. The lottery was originally only offered in 15 states, but after the first change to the number matrix in 1997, it escalated to 21. Players were required to pick five main numbers from a choice of 45 and a Powerball from a separate set of 45. After the first ever Powerball drawing took place on April 22, 1992, it has become one of the top lotteries in the United States.
As the rise of Powerball continues, the prize money is estimated to grow into the billions more consistently. Although the chances of winning are one in a million, you may just be the lucky one who takes home the jackpot, or get struck by lightning.
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