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Lottery: US Powerball jackpot is now a record-breaking $675 million

The odds of winning the Powerball are 292.2 million to one

Matt Payton
Thursday 07 January 2016 15:54 GMT
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This jackpot has since rolled over
This jackpot has since rolled over (AP)

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As Britons scramble to snap up tickets in a bid to clinch the highest Lotto payout ever, Americans are hoping to win the biggest rollover jackpot in US lottery history - at an estimated $675 million (£622 million).

The previous record prize for the US Powerball, which is played in 44 of the 50 states, was a Mega Millions jackpot of $656 million won in three states in March 2012.

To claim the US Powerball jackpot - the winner needs to beat odds of 292.2 million to one, according to NBC News.

In comparison, the odds of winning Saturday's £57.8 million UK Lotto jackpot are 45 million to one. The odds of being struck by lightning are 960,000 to one.

If you were to win the Powerball lottery, you would be required to pay a variety of state, local and income taxes.

The prospective winners of this week's record-breaking UK National Lottery draw are exempt from paying tax on their prize.

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