Powerball jackpots are about to be much larger. Reporter explains.
USA TODAY’s Fernando Cervantes explains the historic agreement with the UK National Lottery.
The search for Powerball’s newest billionaire is underway after a single ticket sold in Illinois won $1 billion jackpot on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The winning ticket was purchased at a Hy-Vee gas station in Quincy, Illinois, lottery officials said. The winner can choose the estimated $1.040 billion annuity or a $450.5 million lump-sum cash option before taxes. After months of rollovers, the prize became one of the largest jackpots Powerball has ever awarded.
The last jackpot winner was on May 2, when tickets sold in Texas and Florida split a relatively modest $20 million prize. Since then, the jackpot has rolled over drawing after drawing, building into a life-changing windfall.
Here’s what we know about who won the jackpot, and other big winners from the Aug. 12 drawing.
What are the winning numbers for the Aug. 12 Powerball?
The winning numbers for the Wednesday, Aug. 12, Powerball drawing: 4-26-66-67-69 and the Powerball is 9. The “Power Play” multiplier is 2x.
Did anyone win the Powerball jackpot?
Yes, a player purchased the winning jackpot ticket in Illinois. According to the Illinois state lottery, the winning jackpot ticket was sold at a Hy-Vee gas station on 36th Street in Quincy.
Another player in Massachusetts won a $2 million dollar prize (matching 5 plus the Power Play) and four other players hit 5 numbers for a $1 million dollar prize. Those tickets were sold in Arizona, California, Florida and North Carolina.
When is the next Powerball drawing?
The next Powerball drawing will take place on Saturday, Aug. 15, at around 10:59 p.m. ET. The drawing can be watched live on Powerball’s website. After a jackpot winner, the new prize is now worth an estimated $20 million.
People can also rewatch clips on Powerball’s YouTube channel. Powerball drawings occur every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Largest Powerball jackpots ever won
- $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
- $1.04 billion on Aug. 12, 2026 in Illinois
- $842.4 million on Jan. 1, 2024, in Michigan
- $768.4 million on March 27, 2019, in Wisconsin
Contributing: Anthony Thompson and Amy Haneline USA TODAY
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.