Historic Powerball Jackpot in Oregon
A single ticket sold in Portland, Oregon has won the $1.326 billion Powerball jackpot, marking a historic moment for the state. This win ended a streak of 41 consecutive drawings without a grand prize winner. The winning numbers for the Saturday night jackpot were 22, 27, 44, 52, and 69, with a Powerball of 9. The winner has the option to take a cash payment of $621 million.
Details of the Winning Ticket
The winning ticket was sold in the Portland zip code 97218. This is the first time Oregon has seen a winner of this magnitude. Melanie Mesaros, spokesperson for the Oregon Lottery, expressed excitement over this significant win. The winner has one year to claim their prize, and until they come forward, only the zip code of the ticket sale will be released.
Previous Large Wins in Oregon
Before this recent win, the largest Powerball prize won in Oregon was $340 million in 2005. The last time a Powerball jackpot was won in Oregon was in 2018, when a man from Salem won $150.4 million. This recent win is not only the largest in Oregon’s history but also the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot ever.
Drawing Delay and Procedures
The drawing for this historic jackpot was delayed by more than three hours due to a participating lottery needing extra time to complete pre-draw procedures. Powerball game rules require every ticket sold nationwide to be checked and verified against two different computer systems before drawing the winning numbers. This ensures fairness and accuracy in the drawing process.
Prize Claiming and Anonymity
According to state law, players in Oregon generally cannot remain anonymous when claiming lottery prizes. The winner of this $1.326 billion jackpot has one year to come forward and claim their prize. The prize is subject to federal taxes, and many states also tax lottery winnings.
Impact on State Programs
Proceeds from the Oregon Lottery fund various state programs, including economic development, education, veteran services, and state parks. Even non-winning players contribute to these programs, making every ticket purchase beneficial to the state.
Powerball Game Information
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. The odds of winning the top prize are approximately 1 in 292.2 million. As prizes grow larger, ticket sales increase, which can lead to jackpots being shared among multiple winners.
Nationwide Winners
In addition to the grand prize winner in Oregon, seven tickets won $1 million prizes nationwide. These tickets were sold in Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Wyoming. Other smaller prize winners included 81 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 26 tickets that won $150,000 prizes.
Historical Context of Large Jackpots
The largest-ever Powerball prize was $2.04 billion, awarded to a California player in November. This recent $1.326 billion jackpot is the fourth-largest in Powerball history and the eighth-largest overall when including Mega Millions jackpots. The previous large jackpots include an $842.4 million prize won by a Michigan ticket on January 1st.
Options for Winners
Winners can choose between a lump-sum payment or an annuitized prize over several years. The estimated lump-sum pre-tax payment for this recent jackpot is $608.9 million. If the winner chooses the annuity option, they will receive annual payouts over 29 years, increasing by 5% each year.
Where to Buy Lottery Tickets
Lottery tickets can be purchased at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and some airport terminals. Online orders can be placed through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. The Jackpocket app allows users to pick their lottery game and numbers, place orders, see their tickets, and collect winnings via phone or home computer.
Gambling Problem Resources
For those with gambling problems, various helplines are available. New York residents can call or text HOPE-NY, Massachusetts residents can call, Oregon residents can call MYLIMIT, and Puerto Rico residents can call. Other regions can call GAMBLER for assistance.
This historic win has not only brought joy to the lucky ticket holder but also highlighted the significant impact of lottery proceeds on state programs. As the winner comes forward, the state of Oregon eagerly awaits the official announcement and the positive ripple effects this win will have on the community.
