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Powerball Jackpot Climbs To Estimated $380 Million

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — People are snatching up Powerball tickets ahead of Saturday night's drawing, when the jackpot will be an estimated $380 million.

The huge jackpot is a return to form for Powerball, which has been known along with Mega Millions for its record-breaking jackpots in recent years. But the Powerball lottery has experienced a slump, with nearly a year passing since its jackpot total climbed above $300 million.

Powerball's last major jackpot was in February 2014, when it climbed to $425 million. There was a $326 million jackpot won for Mega Millions in November, that game's first major jackpot since March 2014, when it reached $414 million.

Powerball tickets cost $2 each, while Mega Millions tickets go for $1. Lottery officials say there's no particular reason for the Powerball lull, though.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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