Historic Win for Oregon
An Oregon Powerball player has won a staggering $1.3 billion jackpot, marking the largest prize ever won in the state’s history. The winning ticket was purchased in Portland and matched all six numbers drawn on Saturday night. The winning numbers were 22, 27, 44, 52, 69, and the red Powerball 9. This win ended a streak of 41 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner since New Year’s Day.
Details of the Winning Ticket
The single ticket that matched all six numbers is worth $1.326 billion. If the winner chooses the cash option, they will receive $621 million. The prize is subject to federal taxes and potentially state taxes, depending on local laws. The Oregon Lottery did not specify which store sold the winning ticket but mentioned that the winner has one year to claim the prize.
Statements from Officials
Mike Wells, Director of the Oregon Lottery, congratulated the winner and noted that this is the largest prize ever won in Oregon’s history. He emphasized the significance of this win for the state and the impact it will have on the winner’s life. Wells also highlighted that even non-winning players contribute to statewide programs and services funded by lottery dollars.
Previous Large Wins in Oregon
Before this historic win, the largest Powerball prize won in Oregon was $340 million in 2005. Another significant win was $150.4 million by a Salem man in 2018. The $1.3 billion prize ranks as the eighth-largest in U.S. lottery history. As jackpots grow larger, they attract more ticket sales but become harder to win due to long odds, which are 1 in 292.2 million for this drawing.
Drawing and Verification Process
Saturday night’s scheduled drawing was delayed and took place just before 2:30 a.m. Sunday at the Florida Lottery studio due to required pre-draw procedures needing completion by one of the organizers. Powerball game rules require every ticket sold nationwide to be checked and verified against two different computer systems before drawing winning numbers to ensure fairness.
Powerball Game Coverage
Powerball is played in 45 states plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets cost $2 per play, and drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. EST. The overall odds of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 24.9, while the odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 292.2 million.
Impact on Retailers
The store that sold the winning ticket will receive a $100,000 bonus. Retailers who sell lottery tickets earn commissions from increased ticket sales and bonus payments for lower-tier wins. For example, selling a $1 million ticket earns a retailer a $10,000 bonus. This win is expected to boost ticket sales and generate more revenue for state beneficiaries.
Claiming the Prize
The winner has one year to claim the top prize according to state law. In Oregon, players generally cannot remain anonymous when claiming large prizes. The Oregon Lottery is taking precautions to verify the winner before awarding the prize money, which will take time. This win is unprecedented for the Oregon Lottery, and they are ensuring all security measures are in place.
Economic Impact
Approximately one-third of sales from the game will be returned to state beneficiaries supporting economic development, education, veteran services, state parks, and other programs. The significant amount of money generated from lottery sales helps fund various initiatives that benefit the community.
Conclusion
This historic win has not only changed the life of the lucky winner but also highlighted the importance of the lottery in supporting state programs. The $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot win in Oregon is a momentous event that will be remembered for years to come. As the winner steps forward to claim their prize, the state celebrates this incredible milestone in its lottery history.
