Powerball Jackpot For July 15, 2017: $172 Million

The drawing has happened, and $155 million was at stake. We're talking the Powerball jackpot, and here are your winning numbers for July 12, 2017: 1, 2, 18, 23, 61, and Red Powerball 9.
The jackpot was untouched, though a ticket sold in New Jersey is worth $1,000,000 — it is a Match 5 winner.

In Texas, one ticket was sold for the July 12 drawing that paid out $50,000 — it was a Match 4 plus Powerball winner. The next draw will take place on Saturday, July 15, and the jackpot is now worth $172 million.

Want to know where to buy your lottery tickets in the Lone Star state? Click here for the Texas lottery retailer database. They are sold in many locations across the state, and they're your passport to a little bit of excitement. (Responsible gaming is encouraged.)

Now $155 million might seem minuscule compared to the January 2016 record Powerball jackpot, which was worth nearly $1.6 billion, but it's nothing to sneeze at, is it? (The billion-dollar-plus prize won in the Jan. 13, 2016, drawing was the largest lotto jackpot awarded in U.S. history and was split by three winners. In the summer of 2016, a New Hampshire player won a $478 million prize.)

Do you like your odds? You have a better chance of hitting the jackpot if you let the computer pick your numbers, according to past results. The Multi-State Lottery Association, which operates the Powerball game, says about 75 percent of winning tickets are chosen by a computer.

(Want to get daily updates about lottery news and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter.)

The lottery game is played in 44 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball draws can be seen on hundreds of TV stations nationwide. It may also be available on cable or your mobile device. The draws are also posted on YouTube and on our site.

Claiming, Safeguarding Winnings
So, what should you do if you win the big prize? Many lottery winners hire an attorney, financial planner, or both, since most people don’t exactly know what to do when they suddenly come into so much money. Some even bring their lawyer with them to claim their prize. The lottery does not offer any counseling services or advice for winners.

You have two choices when you claim your prize: the full value paid in 30 installments over 29 years, or a one-time lump sum that is smaller than the actual total. Then there are the taxes. The federal tax on lottery winnings is 25 percent. Then, any extra income taxes such state or city would apply.

Financial experts say that if you can get more than a 3 or 4 percent return on an investment, the lump sum is actually the best way to go in the long term.

Have you ever won any money in the Powerball lottery? If so, tell us about it in the comments section.

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(Patch Editor Deb Belt contributed to this story.)

– Image: Powerball.com