The Powerball jackpot continues its surge as Wednesday’s $865 million jackpot would make it the fifth largest prize in Powerball history.

A winner tonight could claim the jackpot as an $865 million annuity or $416.1 million in cash.

“The Powerball game has a reputation for producing life-changing prizes and tonight’s top five jackpot would certainly qualify,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “We have seen 36 straight drawings without a winner but we hope drawing 37 ends the run with a jackpot win in North Carolina. Good luck.”

While North Carolinians keep trying for the jackpot, other big wins have occurred recently. A lucky ticket in North Carolina matched four white balls and the red Powerball in Monday’s drawing to win $50,000. The win occurred:

• At the Farmington Road Shell on Farmington Road in Mocksville

Players can buy Powerball tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lottery’s website or the NC Lottery Official Mobile App. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million.

For details on how money raised by the lottery makes a difference for education programs in all 100 North Carolina counties, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.