Powerball jackpot reaches $251M for March 2 drawing: Winning numbers
See which states are the luckiest in the lottery
USA TODAY’s Fernando Cervantes shares which states have claimed the most Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots wins.
The Powerball jackpot continued to rise ahead of the Monday, March 2, drawing, before settling at $251 million with a cash value of $118 million.
Since the game began in 1992, the Powerball jackpot has been hit nearly 200 times, according to lottery officials. Today, 45 U.S. lotteries participate in the drawing, with five states opting out: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
Some states have had more luck than others. Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin rank among the top five for the most Powerball winners.
Here’s what to know about Monday night’s drawing.
What are the winning numbers for the March 2 Powerball?
The winning numbers for the March 2 Powerball drawing are: 2, 17, 18, 38, 62, and the Powerball is 20. The “Power Play” multiplier is 2x.
Did anyone win the Powerball jackpot?
Yes, one lucky person in Arkansas won the Powerball jackpot, while another in Puerto Rico won the Match 5 + Power Play $2 million prize.
The Powerball jackpot has since reset to $20 million ahead of Wednesday night’s drawing.
When is the next Powerball drawing?
The next drawing will be on Wednesday, March 4, at 11 p.m. ET.
Do you have to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball?
The short answer is no, you do not have to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident to play Powerball.
Anyone visiting one of the 45 participating states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, can buy a Powerball ticket regardless of nationality. The only catch is that you must need the legal age requirement at the point of purchases, which is typically 18 years old, and buy the ticket from a licensed retailer.
Top 10 Powerball Jackpots
- $2.040 billion on Nov. 7, 2022 in California
- $1.817 billion on Dec. 24, 2025 in Arkansas
- $1.787 billion on Sept. 6, 2025 in Missouri and Texas
- $1.765 billion on Oct. 11, 2023 in California
- $1.586 billion on Jan. 13, 2016 in California, Florida and Tennessee
- $1.326 billion on April 6, 2024 in Oregon
- $1.080 billion on July 19, 2023 in California
- $842.4 million on Jan. 1, 2024 in Michigan
- $768.4 million on Mar. 27, 2019 in Wisconsin
- $758.7 million on Aug. 23, 2017 in Massachusetts
How to play Powerball
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can buy them at most convenience stores, gas stations and grocery stores. In some states, tickets are also available online, depending on local rules.
Once you have a ticket, you’ll choose six numbers. Five are white balls numbered 1 through 69, and the sixth is the red Powerball, numbered 1 through 26.
For an extra $1, players can add Power Play, which boosts winnings on all non?jackpot prizes. The multiplier can increase prizes by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or even 10X.
Don’t want to pick numbers yourself? The Quick Pick option lets the computer choose for you.
To win the jackpot, you have to match all five white balls (in any order) and the red Powerball.
Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If no one hits the jackpot, the prize keeps rolling over — and climbing.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This content is sourced from www.usatoday.com and is shared for informational purposes only.
