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Powerball jackpot climbs to estimated $675M

The Powerball jackpot is estimated to hit the largest lottery prize in U.S. history:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.powerball.com/pb_home.asp" target="_blank">$675 million</a>.And some say it could get even closer to the billion mark because the the next drawing won&#39;t be until Saturday. (Video via&nbsp;<a href="http://abc7chicago.com/finance/powerball-jackpot-up-to-$500m;-winning-numbers-drawing-wednesday/1147063/" target="_blank">WLS-TV</a>)&nbsp;There&#39;ve&nbsp;<a href="http://www.powerball.com/powerball/pb_video.asp" target="_blank">been 18 drawings</a>&nbsp;since November but no jackpot winners, so the prize has swelled.A few players walked away with $1 million or $2 million, but no one has correctly picked that red ball. (Video via&nbsp;<a href="http://nbc4i.com/2016/01/05/columbus-residents-buy-powerball-tickets-in-droves-as-prize-soars-to-450-million/" target="_blank">WCMH</a>)The previous record was $656 million in 2012. Powerball started in 1992.This video includes images from Getty Images.&nbsp;

By: The Associated Press

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A lottery official says the estimated prize for this weekend's Powerball drawing is the largest jackpot of any lottery game in U.S. history.

Texas Lottery spokeswoman Kelly Cripe says Saturday's drawing will be worth about $675 million. That's because no one matched the numbers drawn for Wednesday night's estimated $500 million jackpot.

Wednesday's numbers were 2, 11, 47, 62 and 63, and the Powerball was 17.

The previous record was a $656 million Mega Millions jackpot won in March 2012.

Powerball is played in 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

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