The federal government takes a 25 percent bite of the winnings — 30 percent if the winner is foreign. The odds of winning this Powerball are one in 292.2 million, according to CBS. Somebody has to win, but it probably won’t be you.
Forbes compiled a list of things that are more likely to happen than your winning the Powerball, and the numbers are grim.
You have a one in 20 million chance of becoming a saint or dying from a dog bite. If politics are more your thing, you have a one in 10 million chance of becoming a president.
Death from scalding hot tap water ranks at one in 5 million.
On a more positive note, your chances for winning an Oscar are one in 11,500 and your chances for penning a best-seller are one in 220.
Even if you don’t win the Powerball jackpot, there’s still a chance to win something. The odds for winning partial prizes are better, and the payoffs range from millions of dollars to $4.
The drawing will take place Wednesday night at 10:59 p.m. Powerball tickets cost $2.