The US Powerball jackpot grew to a staggering $2.3 billion on Tuesday – the largest prize in world history – and left countless Americans clinging to the hope of winning big.

There were no winners in Monday’s drawing, Powerball USA announced on Twitter Tuesday morning, shortly after a delayed drawing took place.

The draw was postponed after a participating lottery needed more time to complete security protocols due to high demand for tickets.

Powerball tickets are sold in almost every state – 45 out of 50 – as well as Washington DC, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The last time anyone claimed the Powerball jackpot was August 3, when one lucky ticket holder in Pennsylvania bagged an estimated $206.9 million.

Since then, 40 consecutive draws have not produced a winner, and the Powerball jackpot has grown and grown.

The latest no-win draw for a $1.9 billion prize came after massive ticket demand for a final prize of $2.04 billion.

Tickets cost $2 and a winner can choose either a lump sum payment calculated at $1.124 billion for the next drawing or choose to pay in installments over 29 years.

Most winners opt for the lump sum payout.

The next drawing will take place on Wednesday evening.