The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday night’s drawing has soared to an estimated $1.3 billion, the fifth-biggest in the lottery’s history, after no one claimed the top prize earlier this week.

The jackpot is also the ninth-largest among all US lottery jackpots. The $1.3 billion figure represents the winnings of those who choose to receive the payment in 30 annual installments, distributed over 29 years, that grow in size over time . Any winner can instead choose a lump-sum cash payment, estimated at $589 million.

There have been 40 drawings since the jackpot was last won in May and Wednesday will mark the 41st. That’s almost the longest run in Powerball’s three-decade history : The previous record was 42 consecutive drawings without a winner, set last year.

As the jackpot climbs in si

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