New York City Player Wins $256 Million Powerball Jackpot
A lucky New York City lottery player has struck gold by winning a massive $256 million Powerball jackpot. The winning ticket, which matched all six numbers, was sold at the Hua Lian Supermarket on Parsons Boulevard in Flushing, Queens. The winner now faces the exciting decision of choosing between a lump sum cash payout of approximately $123.5 million or an annuity paid over time. This win marks the ninth time in 2024 that a Powerball jackpot has been claimed, resetting the jackpot to $20 million for the next drawing on Monday.
The winning numbers for the December 7, 2024, drawing were 1, 31, 43, 55, 57, with the Powerball number being 22 and a Power Play multiplier of 2x. Powerball drawings occur three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are extremely low, approximately 292 million to one, making this win even more remarkable.
New Jersey Player Takes Home $50,000
In addition to the New York City jackpot winner, a New Jersey lottery player also had a reason to celebrate after winning $50,000 in the same Powerball drawing. This win adds to the excitement surrounding the Powerball lottery, which continues to capture the attention of players across the United States. The Powerball game is available in most U.S. states, as well as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Players can purchase tickets in-person or online through Jackpocket in select states, including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The cost of a Powerball ticket is $2, with an optional additional dollar for the “Power Play” feature, which can increase non-jackpot prizes up to five times.
Kerala Lottery Announces Akshaya AK-680 Winners
Meanwhile, across the globe in India, the Kerala State Lottery Department announced the results for the Akshaya AK-680 lottery draw on December 8, 2024. The first prize of ₹70 lakh was claimed by ticket number AU 966347 from Ernakulam, with the agent associated with this ticket being Joseph P, Agency No. E6948. The second prize of ₹5 lakh went to ticket number AW 689346 from Guruvayoor, with Manikantan P K, Agency No. R7736, as the agent.
The Kerala lottery is part of a series of seven weekly draws, with the Akshaya draw being one of the most popular. The draw was held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram, and a total of 108 lakh tickets were available for purchase. The lottery offers a range of prizes, including a third prize of ₹1 lakh and a consolation prize of ₹8,000. Winners are advised to verify their numbers against those published in the Kerala Government Gazette and submit winning tickets within 30 days to claim their prizes.
Upcoming Christmas-New Year Bumper Lottery
In addition to the Akshaya AK-680 draw, the Kerala State Lottery Department has also announced details about the upcoming Christmas-New Year bumper lottery. Tickets for this special draw are priced at ₹400 each, with a total of 90 lakh tickets printed across ten series. The top prize for this bumper lottery is a staggering ₹20 crore, with the second prize of ₹1 crore awarded to two winners per series, totaling 20 winners. The third prize offers ₹25 lakh each to ten winners, with the total prize money amounting to ₹90.88 crore.
To check the Akshaya AK-680 lottery results, players can visit the official website at keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net. The website provides a link to view the winning numbers and download a PDF version if needed. Instructions on how to claim prizes and the required documents are also available on the official website and through the Kerala Government Gazette Office.
Lottery Fever Continues to Rise
The excitement surrounding lottery draws continues to captivate players worldwide, with both the Powerball and Kerala lotteries offering life-changing prizes. In the United States, the Powerball jackpot will reset to $20 million for the next drawing, while the Mega Millions jackpot is currently at $619 million, with a cash option of $297.7 million for the upcoming Tuesday drawing. These staggering amounts keep players hopeful and eager to try their luck.
In Kerala, the anticipation for the Christmas-New Year bumper lottery is building, with players eager to secure their tickets for a chance at the ₹20 crore top prize. The lottery not only offers substantial prizes but also contributes to the state’s revenue, supporting various welfare programs and initiatives.
Responsible Gaming and Support
While the allure of winning big is undeniable, it is essential for players to engage in responsible gaming practices. Lottery organizations and governments provide resources and support for individuals who may experience gambling-related issues. In the United States, helplines such as HOPE NY and MY LIMIT offer assistance to those in need. Similarly, in Kerala, players are encouraged to play responsibly and seek help if necessary.
As lottery fever continues to sweep across the globe, players are reminded to enjoy the thrill of the game while keeping their expectations realistic. With each draw, the possibility of winning life-changing sums of money remains a tantalizing prospect for many.
