Security Concerns Delay Powerball Drawing

Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing was delayed six minutes because of a minor problem with security procedures.

According to a press release from the Multi-State Lottery Association, one of the 31 states involved in Powerball submitted inaccurate sales reports.

“The lotteries require absolute assurance that the computer records of the players’ tickets are complete, balanced and secure,” said Chuck Strutt, director of the Multi-State Lottery Association. “If we cannot get that assurance by draw time, then we delay the drawing until we are assured that every player’s ticket is properly recorded and secured. Nobody likes to delay a drawing for a big jackpot like this, but security never takes a backseat to public relations.”

Once the error was corrected, the drawing took place in front of a sheriff’s deputy and an internal auditor.

The winning numbers were 23, 31, 32, 37 and 55, and the Powerball was 35.

There were no jackpot winners for Wednesday night’s drawing. Saturday’s jackpot is now estimated at $89 million.