Bad news... according to this article: Everyone Is Freaking Out About The $1.5 Billion Powerball, And The Stats Agree | FiveThirtyEight
Accounting for the lump sum payment, federal taxes, smaller prizes, and risk of split jackpot, even at a $1.4 Billion jackpot the payout on a $2 bet is still far below parity, a mere $1.32. I will have to trust their math but it makes sense when you realize the lump sum is going to be at best half the advertised value.
So everyone... return your tickets for a full refund before the drawing tomorrow night.
Accounting for the lump sum payment, federal taxes, smaller prizes, and risk of split jackpot, even at a $1.4 Billion jackpot the payout on a $2 bet is still far below parity, a mere $1.32. I will have to trust their math but it makes sense when you realize the lump sum is going to be at best half the advertised value.
So everyone... return your tickets for a full refund before the drawing tomorrow night.