LOGIN

$1.73 billion Powerball jackpot goes to lucky lottery player in California

by Chloe Baker
0 comments
Powerball Jackpot Win

In a momentous turn of fortune, a fortunate lottery player in California has clinched the staggering $1.73 billion Powerball jackpot. The drought of a top prize winner had persisted for an extended period, but that dry spell came to an end on Wednesday night.

The winning combination of numbers that changed someone’s life forever were: 22, 24, 40, 52, 64, and the Powerball number 10. The golden ticket that held these magical digits was sold at Midway Market & Liquor in Frazier Park, as confirmed by the California Lottery authorities.

The aftermath of this monumental win has been nothing short of chaos. The store, Midway Market & Liquor, found its phone lines inundated with congratulatory calls. A night worker at the establishment, known only as Duke, humorously remarked, “Somebody owes me a truck.” Apparently, numerous customers who frequented the store for their daily lottery tickets had promised to reward Duke with a new truck if they ever won. With a wry smile, Duke added, “So where’s my truck? I’ll be waiting.”

Speculations abound that the fortunate winner may likely be a local resident, further enhancing the sense of community jubilation.

Before this remarkable win, an astonishing 35 consecutive Powerball drawings had passed without a jackpot winner, spanning back to July 19 when a California player had the good fortune of matching all six numbers and taking home $1.08 billion.

This colossal jackpot now ranks as the world’s second-largest lottery prize, having rolled over for a staggering 36 consecutive drawings since the last jackpot victory on July 19. This record-breaking streak is only eclipsed by the 41 draws seen in 2021 and 2022.

The only jackpot that ever surpassed this magnitude was the $2.04 billion Powerball windfall won by another fortunate player in California just last November.

Powerball’s daunting odds, standing at 1 in 292.2 million, are strategically designed to generate these colossal jackpots. As months passed with no jackpot winner, the prizes swelled to astronomical proportions, making it an enticing gamble for those willing to try their luck.

One such hopeful gambler, Robert Salvato Jr., an electrician of 60 years, purchased a staggering 40 Powerball tickets at a hardware store in Billerica, Massachusetts. He humorously shared his plans to take care of his family and, in a whimsical twist, give his cat an “extra leg” to become a “good kitty.”

Despite the long odds, many people were undeterred and eagerly participated in the lottery. The anticipation of instant wealth seemed to outweigh the improbable chances of winning.

The excitement even led to long lines in some places. Friends Tamara Carter and Denise Davis traveled from Las Vegas to California to buy tickets but encountered a three-hour queue at their first stop, prompting them to seek another store.

This historic jackpot owes its colossal size to an extended dry spell. The previous winning Powerball ticket was sold on July 19 and had a value of $1.08 billion, marking 39 drawings without a jackpot triumph.

For most states, a Powerball ticket costs $2, and players can choose their own numbers or rely on a computer-generated selection.

The $1.73 billion prize is available as an annuity, payable over 30 years, but most winners opt for the cash option. In this case, the cash prize for Wednesday night’s drawing is estimated at a staggering $756.6 million.

However, it’s important to note that winnings are subject to federal taxes, and many states also impose taxes on lottery prizes.

Powerball, with its allure of life-altering wealth, is a game played in 45 states across the United States, as well as in Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Rodrique Ngowi in Billerica, Massachusetts, and Ty O’Neil in California, near Primm, Nevada, contributed to this report.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Powerball Jackpot Win

Q: How much was the Powerball jackpot won in California?

A: The Powerball jackpot won in California was an astonishing $1.73 billion.

Q: What were the winning numbers for this record-breaking jackpot?

A: The winning numbers for this historic Powerball jackpot were 22, 24, 40, 52, 64, and the Powerball number 10.

Q: How long had it been since the last Powerball jackpot win before this one?

A: There had been a staggering 35 consecutive Powerball drawings without a jackpot winner before this record-breaking win, dating back to July 19.

Q: What is the second-largest lottery prize in the world after this win?

A: The $1.73 billion Powerball jackpot now ranks as the world’s second-largest lottery prize, with the only larger jackpot being the $2.04 billion Powerball win in California last November.

Q: What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?

A: The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are incredibly daunting, standing at 1 in 292.2 million. These odds are deliberately designed to generate large jackpots over time.

Q: How do most winners choose to receive their Powerball winnings?

A: While the prize can be received as an annuity paid over 30 years, most Powerball winners opt for the cash option, which in this case is estimated at $756.6 million for the $1.73 billion jackpot.

Q: Which states can participate in Powerball?

A: Powerball is played in 45 states across the United States, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

More about Powerball Jackpot Win

You may also like

Leave a Comment

BNB – Big Big News is a news portal that offers the latest news from around the world. BNB – Big Big News focuses on providing readers with the most up-to-date information from the U.S. and abroad, covering a wide range of topics, including politics, sports, entertainment, business, health, and more.

Editors' Picks

Latest News