$1.5bn lottery jackpot in US set to be world record

America’s Powerball lottery jackpot climbed to $1.5bn (€1.38bn), making it the largest-ever US lottery prize and the world’s biggest potential jackpot for a single winner, lottery officials say.

The payout has increased due to strong ticket sales over the past two days, said Texas Lottery Commission spokeswoman Kelly Cripe.

The Powerball lottery draw will be held tonight. The game is played in 44 states, Washington DC and two US territories — Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.