How Late Can You Buy a Powerball Ticket in New Jersey & Pennsylvania?

Once again, we're getting ready for yet another HUGE Powerball drawing. Here's everything you need to know about Wednesday (December 26)'s drawing:

When will the drawing be held?

The drawing will take place at the Florida Lottery's studio in Tallahassee on Wednesday (December 26) at 10:59 pm.

How late can you buy a ticket in New Jersey and Pennsylvania?

Sales cut-off times vary by one to two hours before the drawings (depending on the selling jurisdiction), Powerball.com reports.

New Jersey and Pennsylvania both cut off officially at 10 pm, but that definitely could vary by retailer.

In fact, from personal experience, some retailers stop selling tickets earlier than others. For example: the ShopRite in Hainesport, NJ stops selling lottery tickets at 8 pm.

Even the automated kiosks (like the ones inside or Wawa's) can experience issues selling tickets too close to the drawing. So if you want to play, you should probably shouldn't wait until 10 pm to get your ticket.

Can I buy Powerball ticket online?

In some states, yes. However, we're sorry to say that you can not buy tickets online in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

Where can you find the winning numbers?

The winning numbers will be posted here. You can watch the drawing on TV as well. The drawing is broadcast on FOX 29 in Philadelphia and on ABC 7 in New York City.

What are the odds of winning the jackpot?

Your odds of winning? They're 1 in 292,201,338.

In comparison, National Geographic says the odds of getting struck by lightning in the U.S. is about 700,000 to 1.

However, the Powerball website reminds us that there are technically nine ways to win a prize. Those prizes range in value from just $4 (for only matching the red Powerball) to the grand prize (matching all five numbers and the red Powerball). Lottery officials say that your odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. That doesn't so bad, right?

Good luck tonight!