Powerball jackpot grows to $320 million

GlobalPost

NEW YORK – Americans are expected to go on a ticket buying spree for this weekend's $320 million Powerball jackpot.

The jackpot has risen to $320 million after Wednesday night’s Powerball was the 12th consecutive drawing which failed to produce a winner. 

Officials say the jackpot could easily surpass $320 million before Saturday's draw, AP reported.

The cash option for the jackpot is an estimated $198.3 million.

According to ABC News, it is the third Powerball jackpot in less than a year to exceed $250 million. It also comes less than six months after two ticket-holders split the $587.5 million Powerball jackpot. 

More from GlobalPost: Second Powerball jackpot winner named

In the lead-up to that draw, officials reported Americans went on a ticket buying spree, and purchased 130,000 tickets a minute on the day.

Fox News reported the winning numbers in Wednesday evening's drawing were: 13-14-17-43-54, Powerball: 15.

The top prize has been climbing since a Powerball player in Virginia won $217 million in the February 6 drawing.

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Sign up for The Top of the World, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.