The jackpot in the multi-state Powerball lottery — which already eclipsed previous records — has hit an estimated $800 million, officials said Friday morning.
That means that a single winner would have the option of a lump-sum cash payout of an estimated $496 million, officials said.
At this rate, by the time of Saturday's drawing, the pot will hit $900 million, a lottery spokeswoman said.
And if that drawing doesn't pick a winner, then the prize is expected to surpass $1 billion.
Powerball is played in 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.