The Powerball jackpot has climbed to $500 million, making Wednesday night’s drawing the third largest prize in U.S. history. The cash value was estimated to be $337.8 million.

It’s been more than two months since someone won the Powerball jackpot, so the prize has been gradually growing from its $40 million starting point.

The largest Powerball jackpot in history – $590.5 million – was claimed by a player in Florida in May, 2013.

Tickets for Wednesday’s Powerball drawing can be purchased until 9:00 p.m. EST. Powerball costs $2 a game.

Lottery officials say the chance of winning a Powerball jackpot is about 1 in 175 million.

Besides giving players an opportunity to fantasize, huge jackpots also are good news for the state lotteries that run the game.

Powerball revenue has been down slightly during a drought of jackpots, but officials say this big prize has caused sales to surge.

(AP)