The Powerball jackpot keeps on climbing as it now stands at $331 million for Saturday’s drawing.

A winner tonight could claim the jackpot as a $331 million annuity or $145.1 million in cash.

“As players try their luck at winning these big jackpots, they also help raise money for education programs in North Carolina,” said Mark Michalko, chief executive officer of the N.C. Education Lottery. “We would love to see a jackpot winner in North Carolina this weekend.”

Even though the jackpot remains up for grabs, players are taking home lots of other prizes playing Powerball. Wednesday’s drawing produced more than 18,000 winning tickets in North Carolina.

Powerball has gone 17 straight drawings since the last big win occurred in New York on Dec. 7 with a $256 million jackpot.

Players can buy Powerball tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lottery’s website, www.nclottery.com. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million.

For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.