18 May 2013

Lottery fever in US

11:01 am on 18 May 2013

Lottery fever gripped the United States as a Powerball jackpot hit a record $US600 million amid to a coast-to-coast ticket-buying frenzy.

The Iowa state lottery agency said the jackpot - played in 43 states - is now the largest in 21 years of the game.

The jackpot was previously $US363.9 million, but Wednesday's drawing did not result in a winner. The last time anyone hit the jackpot was March 30.

The richest US jackpot of all time was $US656 million, which was split between three tickets in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland in March 2012.

Like all US lotteries, the winnings are subject to tax.