The Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) - The numbers have been drawn for the record Powerball jackpot and the wait for winners - if any - has begun.
The numbers drawn Wednesday night are: 5, 16, 22, 23, 29 and Powerball of 6.
A lottery official says the jackpot increased to $579.9 million by the time of the drawing, making the cash option $379.8 million. The amount surged because of a ticket-buying spree in recent days. The big money enticed many people who rarely, if ever, play the lottery. They wanted a chance to win the second-largest payout in U.S. history.
The jackpot had already rolled over 16 consecutive times without a winner, but Powerball officials said earlier Wednesday they believed there was a 75 percent chance the winning combination will be drawn this time.
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