1.9 billion jackpot draw postponed due to security concerns

No time frame was announced by the game’s regulator, the California Lottery, which cited security issues for postponing the decision.

Suspense that lasts a little longer than expected. With an astronomical $1.9 billion at stake in the long-awaited Powerball lottery draw, the California Lottery, which runs the game, has indicated on its Twitter account that the draw must be final. Postponed.

“Tonight’s Powerball draw has been delayed due to additional time required by the participating lotteries to implement the required security protocols,” the company said, adding, “the strict security requirements that must be observed by the 48 participating lotteries in the affected US states.”

In the second message, the California Lottery noted that the draw would be made “once (the) necessary safety protocols are completed.” “Winning numbers will be published as soon as they are available. Thank you for your patience”, without specifying a date.

Disgruntled netizens

In the same social network, feverish, multi-billionaires (the chance of winning the jackpot is one in 292.2 million) who checked their ticket did not appreciate the postponement of the huge gain that did not play the lottery.

“I’m suing,” one of them tweeted.

“When the draw happens every two or three days, how can suddenly there be a security problem?” asks another Internet user, and another wonders if another participant isn’t trying to “hack” the lottery system.

As the midterms approach, under the guise of humor, one Twitter user asserts that “the lottery computers have determined that the Republican will win the Powerball draw, causing an automatic delay.”

Generally, anger and skepticism are the most prominent emotions among internet users disappointed by this postponement of the draw.

Once the result is finally known, the lucky winner(s) will have to choose to receive the entire amount in payments spread over three decades or be paid in one lump sum, once taxes are deducted.