Powerball jackpot climbs $10M to $280M for Monday drawing

RALEIGH, N.C. (WGHP) -- The Powerball jackpot has climbed $10 million for the Monday night drawing, totaling now $280 million, according to an NC Education Lottery news release.

A winner in North Carolina tonight would have the choice of either taking the jackpot as a $280 million annuity or $205 million in cash.

"This jackpot has been growing since Oct. 4," said Mark Michalko, executive director of the NC Education Lottery. "We look forward to seeing who eventually wins it and hope that whoever has that good luck is in North Carolina."

When the jackpot was last won, it weighed in at $699.8 million and stood as the fifth largest in the history of the game.

A ticket sold in California matched all six numbers to win the jackpot. It was the first jackpot to be won in one of the new Monday drawings.

Powerball drawings now are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and the odds of winning a jackpot are 1 in 292 million.

Players can buy Powerball or Mega Millions tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lottery's website, www.nclottery.com, and with the NC Lottery Official Mobile App.