What The $1.5 US Billion Lotto Jackpot Could Buy you

Today's United States' Powerball draw is the largest the world has ever seen at US$1.5 billion ($2.3 billion).

The winning numbers are: 8, 27, 34, 4, 19, Powerball: 10.

It appears there has been at least one winner, according to California Lottery.

California Lottery has tweeted tickets that matched five of the six numbers were sold in Nipton, Chula Vista, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, Tustin, Pacoima, Vacaville, Cloverdale, Redlands, Gardena, Irwindale.

How does Powerball work?
According to the Telegraph participants had until 10pm this Wednesday Eastern Time (4pm Thursday NZ time) to purchase their $2 tickets.

On it are five numbers, plus a bonus number.

Every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10.59pm Eastern Time (Thursday and Saturday 4.59pm NZ time), five white balls are drawn from a drum of 69 balls and one white ball from a drum of 26.

The chance of winning the grand prize is one in 292.2 million.

The winner can choose to take all the money at once, or in annual instalments over 29 years.

What $2.3 billion could do for you
The United States' Powerball draw is the largest the world has ever seen.

While America goes lotto-crazy, let's take a look at where and what more than two billion big ones could get you.

•Bill Gates would still be nearly 53 (52.8) times richer than you with a net worth of US$79.2 billion.

•You wouldn't even make it onto Forbe's 2015 list of the 500 richest people in the world.

•In New Zealand the richest Kiwi, Graeme Hart, would still be nearly 4 (3.9) times richer than you with his estimated fortune of NZ$9 billion.

•But, you could buy your own private island: East Sister Rock near Miami, currently selling for a comparatively tiny US$12.2 million.

•To get to your island all the way from the southern hemisphere, you could take your private jet, bought for just US$3 million.

•If the win was spread evenly in America, every one of the 318.9 million people in the country would receive US$4.70, enough to buy a Big Mac and a small fries.

•If it was spread in New Zealand, everyone would get NZ$514, enough to buy return flights for an Australian holiday.

•You could buy 209090909 Big Mac combos (at NZ$11 each) if you won the whole thing for yourself.