Thousands of Virginia Lottery players win prizes in Powerball drawing as jackpot climbs to $1.5 billion for Saturday
Roanoke, Virginia – The Virginia Lottery has announced that more than 87,000 Powerball tickets purchased in the Commonwealth won prizes during the Wednesday, December 17 drawing. Among the winners were five lucky ticket holders who each claimed a $50,000 prize.
These five tickets successfully matched four of the first five winning numbers plus the Powerball number, narrowly missing the massive jackpot. The winning tickets were bought at the following locations:
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Food Lion, 4092 Lankford Highway, Exmore
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Safeway, 3043 Nutley Street, Fairfax
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Tiger Market and Bakery, 3903 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria
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Fas Mart, 4690 Pouncey Tract Road, Glen Allen
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Smoketown Shell, 15550 Neabsco Mills Road, Woodbridge
Although no one in Virginia or across the country matched all six numbers to take home the top prize, the Powerball jackpot now rises to an estimated $1.5 billion for the upcoming Saturday, December 20 drawing.
Chances to Win Still Strong Despite Long Odds
Powerball continues to attract hopeful players throughout the state. Tickets can be purchased at around 5,300 authorized Virginia Lottery retailers or online via the Virginia Lottery mobile app.
Drawings are held three times a week—every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Prize amounts start at $2 and range all the way to the growing jackpot. While the odds of hitting the grand prize are a steep 1 in 292,201,338, the odds of winning any prize stand at 1 in 25, keeping players excited and engaged.
To participate in Powerball or other Virginia Lottery games, individuals must be at least 18 years old. With the jackpot now reaching record levels, anticipation is building across the state as thousands prepare for their next chance to win big.
As always, lottery officials encourage responsible play and remind players that even non-jackpot wins—like the recent $50,000 prizes—can offer life-changing opportunities.
