The estimated jackpot for Saturday’s Powerball draw is now $600 million. Originally announced at $475 million this week after no tickets matched all numbers drawn, it was increased to $550 million and again to the current $600 million following strong sales. Tickets are selling in Montana at about 48 tickets per minute.

Saturday’s jackpot is the highest Powerball jackpot ever. It surpassed the previous record of $587.5 million in November 2012. It is one of only nine jackpots to pass the rare $300 million mark.

The jackpot started at $40 million April 3 and increased for 12 draws to where it is now. In that time, Powerball draws in Montana have produced nearly $240,000 in winning tickets.

Two Montana tickets matched four white balls and the Powerball to win $10,000 from Wednesday’s draw.

David Poole of Helena Friday claimed a $10,000 Powerball jackpot prize with a ticket purchased at Town Pump, 2401 N. Montana Ave.; Helena.

David plans to use his Powerball winnings as a nest egg for when he gets out of the Army and also plans to buy more Powerball tickets for the $600 million jackpot drawing on Saturday. Even as he won $10,000, he was thinking of ways he would help others if he happens to match all five numbers and the Powerball on Saturday and bring home the $600 million jackpot prize to Big Sky Country.

The other $10,000 winner from Wednesday was from Belfry and has not yet been claimed.

The estimated jackpot for Saturday’s Powerball draw is now $600 million. Originally announced at $475 million on Monday after no tickets matched all numbers drawn Wednesday, it was increased to %550 million and again to $600 million following strong sales.

Tickets are selling in Montana at about one ticket per second.

Saturday’s jackpot is the highest Powerball jackpot ever. It surpassed the previous record of $587.5 million in November 2012. It is one of only nine jackpots to pass the rare $300 million mark.

The jackpot started at $40 million April 3 and increased for 12 draws to where it is now. In that time, Powerball draws in Montana have produced nearly $240,000 in winning tickets.

Two Montana tickets matched four white balls and the Powerball to win $10,000 from Wednesday’s draw. One ticket was sold in Helena at Town Pump, 2401 N. Montana Ave. The other was sold in Belfry at Belfry Country Store, 216 Broadway Ave.

The estimated jackpot for Saturday’s Powerball draw is now $550 million. Originally announced at $475 million after no tickets matched all numbers drawn Wednesday, it was increased today following strong sales.

Saturday’s jackpot is the second-highest Powerball jackpot to date after the record of $587.5 million in November 2012. It is one of only nine jackpots to pass the rare $300 million mark.

The jackpot started at $40 million April 3 and increased for 12 draws to where it is now. In that time, Powerball draws in Montana have produced nearly $240,000 in winning tickets.

Two Montana tickets matched four white balls and the Powerball to win $10,000 from Wednesday’s draw. One ticket was sold in Helena at Town Pump, 2401 N. Montana Ave. The other was sold in Belfry at Belfry Country Store, 216 Broadway Ave.

The Mega Millions jackpot is also rising, estimated at $190 million for Friday’s draw. Between Powerball and Mega Millions, Montanans have the chance to play for $740 million this weekend, the highest combined jackpot amount to date.

The deadline to buy Mega Millions tickets is 8 p.m. Friday; the deadline to buy Powerball tickets is 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets may be purchased from any Lottery retailer, of which there are more than 800. Visit www.montanalottery.com to locate a retailer.

Here are the statistics for Montana Sports Action Fantasy Racing for the Bojangles' Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway on May 11, 2013.

Total Prize Pool: $1,683.40

Number of 1st Prize winners:
1-Chinook Eagles Club 689, Chinook, $841.70 (50% of prize pool)

Number of 2nd Prize winners:
5 Sharing $505.00 (30% of prize pool)
-Boomers Pub & Gaming Parlor, Missoula, $101.00
-Jumbo Jackpot Casino, East Missoula, $101.00
-Nickels Gaming Parlour, Helena, $101.00
-Lisac’s Tri Stop, Butte, $101.00
-Yellowstone Tavern, Miles City, $101.00

Number of 3rd Prize winners:
1- Chinook Eagles Club 689, Chinook $336.70 (20% of prize pool)

1st Prize Point Accumulation: 1,062

2nd Prize Point Accumulation: 1,059

3rd Prize Point Accumulation: 1,057

Montana Sports Action is a Fantasy Sports Wagering game facilitated by the Montana Lottery on behalf of the Montana Board of Horse Racing.

John Limback of Big Sandy claimed a $100,000 Montana Cash jackpot prize with a ticket purchased at Gary And Leo's Fresh Foods, 730 1 St.; Havre.

John had to read his winning numbers three times to believe he won the jackpot.

The drawing was held on Wednesday, May 1 and John matched 5 out of 5 numbers for a jackpot win. John’s winning numbers were 6, 10, 13, 16 and 35.

The Montana Cash jackpot is $40,000 for Saturday’s drawing.

The Montana Lottery was created by referendum in 1986. Since then, it has paid more than $459 million in prizes and returned more than $204 million to the State of Montana.