Powerball jackpot winnings mean pay-day for states

Regardless of who wins the Powerball jackpot, it appears states are in for a pay-day of sorts as well.

Powerball is played in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As of Wednesday, the jackpot prize is valued at 403 million dollars. 

State and federal taxes are ultimately taken out from the grand prize.

In Maryland, gaming officials say that money goes back into the state's general fund to support services and programs including public health, public safety and education.

"It's actually a win across the board," says Carole Gentry of Maryland Lottery and Gaming. "The lottery gets to promote an exciting winner which is good for the lottery. The winner, of course, gets the money and the state gets the tax benefits, so everybody wins."

Gentry says state taxes are taken out of Powerball winnings regardless of the state, meaning would also apply similarly in Delaware and Virginia, as well.