Powerball jackpot climbs to estimated $700M

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A lottery official says the estimated prize for this weekend's Powerball drawing is the largest jackpot of any lottery game in U.S. history.

Texas Lottery spokeswoman Kelly Cripe says Saturday's drawing will be worth about $700 million. That's because no one matched the numbers drawn for Wednesday night's estimated $500 million jackpot.

Wednesday's numbers were 2, 11, 47, 62 and 63, and the Powerball was 17.

Earlier Thursday, the Powerball jackpot was at $675 million. The previous record was a $656 million Mega Millions jackpot won in March 2012.

Powerball is played in 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.