[wbc]

Super unlikely, the main reason is at that point many people buy tickets and it becomes more and more likely the jackpot is split between multiple winners [0].

Actually the largest Powerball at $1.586 billion was split between 3 people [1]

[0] https://chance.amstat.org/2020/02/lottery-ticket/jackpots-ev... [1] https://apnews.com/article/archive-6d98eff765c9e2f4b68367131...

[fallingknife]

Odds of winning are 1 in 292 million. So unless the odds were that the jackpot would be split 6 ways or more the tickets have a positive EV.

[listenallyall]

Except that Powerball tickets cost $2 each, not one dollar as you were assuming. (And of course, taxes)

[fallingknife]

Yeah good point. Also delayed payout / lump sum discount.