Winning Powerball Numbers For Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017: $700 Million Jackpot

The winning numbers for Wednesday night's Powerball drawing are worth $700 million, and we have them. The winning numbers for Wednesday night's Powerball jackpot is 6-7-16-23-26 with a Powerball of 4. That means tonight could be the second-largest lottery jackpot win in the history of North America, the Lottery says. The winning numbers were be drawn at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23, 2017.

This Powerball jackpot has been on the rise since June 10, when a $447.8 million jackpot was won on a ticket sold in California. There have been 20 Powerball drawings since then. The only prize that has surpassed Wednesday night's potential winnings was the $1.568 billion jackpot in January 2016. Tickets sold in California, Florida and Tennessee each won a share of that record jackpot.

Powerball Is Over $700 Million: Here's Why You Shouldn't Be Impressed

So let's say you hit the jackpot. Congratulations! But before you buy, say, the Pawtucket Red Sox, there are a few things you should know, courtesy of USAMega:

• If you opt for the annuity option, you receive 30 average annual payouts of $23,333,333. But Uncle Sam takes an average of $5,833,333, and Rhode Island takes an average of $1,397,667. So you're really getting an average of $16,102,333 per year - still enough to net $483,069,990. The first year's payout would net $7,270,897, and payments would increase until a $29,927,997 payout in 30 years.
• If you opt for the lump sum cash payout, as most do, then you're being awarded $443,300,000. That's before federal taxes take $110,825,000 and state taxes take another $26,553,670. Then your $700 million jackpot winning ends up being $305,921,330.

The winning numbers for the Saturday, Aug. 19 drawing were: 17, 19, 39, 43 and 68. The Red Power Ball number was 13. The Multiplier number was 04.

Your odds of winning Powerball are one in 292 million. Powerball tickets can be purchased for $2. Check out the 1,135 retailers where you can purchase them in Rhode Island. Tickets can be purchased until 9:50 p.m. Wednesday.

Powerball is played in 44 states, excluding Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada and Utah.

Image via Lottery