Powerball jackpot soars to at least $500 million

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News / AP) — Today was your chance to become a big-time millionaire!

The estimated jackpot for Wednesday night's Powerball drawing soared to $500 million thanks to strong sales.

Multi-State Lottery Association officials on Tuesday increased the expected prize from $400 million because of fast sales for the largest lottery jackpot in nearly a year.

No one has won Powerball's biggest prize since Nov. 4. The jackpot now is the sixth-largest ever in North America, and if there is no winner after Wednesday night's drawing, the prize will keep climbing.

FOX 32: Does winning the Powerball buy you happiness?

"No, well, I guess if it's that much, yes," said Ben Wessling.

"It can buy me things that can make me happy, i know that for sure!" another Chicagoan said.

In fact, research shows that lottery winners experience euphoria right after the win, but settle back down to how they felt before after just a few months.

However, most lottery players aren't buying that.

"Definitely cause the money, I mean, not saying money buys you happiness but it can assist in gaining you happiness by getting things," a Chicagoan said.

So, what is the price for happiness? Princeston University says it's $75-thousand dollars a year. Researchers there say any more than that doesn't make you any happier, and less than that means financial problems can impact your happiness.

Also, here's a fun little nugget of information: a recent survey says 51 percent of people would keep working even if they won the lottery.

The biggest jackpot was a $656 million Mega Millions prize won in 2012. The last time Powerball had grown this large was in February 2015, when three winners split a $564.1 million prize.

Powerball is played in 44 states as well as the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. And of course, you can purchase tickets at your local convenience store or online!

POWERBALL WINNING NUMBERS: 2 - 11 - 47 - 62 - 63 - PB: 17