Powerball Jackpot grows to $360 million

The jackpot for Wednesday night's Powerball drawing has increased to $360 million, just $5 million shy of the second highest jackpot in Powerball history. The midday bump reflects very strong sales across all participating Lottery jurisdictions.

If no one matches all five numbers plus the Powerball in Wednesday night's drawing, the jackpot will continue to grow into record territory. The largest jackpot in Powerball history was drawn on Nov. 28, 2012. Two winning tickets for that $587 million jackpot were sold in Missouri and Arizona.

Tickets for Wednesday's $360 million Powerball jackpot can be purchased until 9 p.m. on the date of the drawing.

The New York Lottery continues to be North America's largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing nearly $2.9 billion in fiscal year 2011-12 to help support education in New York state. The Lottery's contribution represents nearly 15 percent of total state education aid to local school districts.

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school district's size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of Lottery school funding.

The New York State Gaming Commission regulates all aspects of gaming and gambling activity in the state, including horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering, class III Indian gaming, video lottery terminal facilities at race tracks, the state lottery and charitable gaming.