Saturday's Powerball jackpot rises to $300 million

URBANDALE, Iowa, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Saturday night's Powerball drawing prize grew to $300 million on brisk ticket sales, lottery officials said.

If a single player matches all six numbers drawn Saturday on a $2 ticket and chooses the cash option, the payout will be approximately $172 million before taxes, the Multi-State Lottery Association said. He or she can also choose a $300 million annuity, paid over 29 years in 30 graduated payments.

The jackpot has been growing since a Pennsylvania lottery player won $131.5 million in the June 22 drawing. The record Powerball jackpot of $590.5 million was won by a Florida ticket holder in May.

Powerball is operated in 43 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.