The biggest powerball jackpot in history, $1.6 billion, has been claimed by three as yet unidentified winners. The winning tickets were sold in Tennessee, Florida and California. After several hours no further winning tickets were flagged. The winning numbers were Powerball 10 and 4-8-19-27-34.
One of the winning tickets came from a 7-Eleven store in Chino Hills, Calif. The store was immediately mobbed by hundreds of people celebrating in front of TV cameras. The town is a typically quiet city of 75,000. The store will receive a $1 million bonus for selling the winning ticket.
Another winner was sold at a Publix grocery store in Melbourne Beach, Fla. The Tennessee winning ticket came from a store in Munford, a city of just under 5,000. The specific Munford store has not yet been named, but it will receive a $25,000 check.
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot were 1 in 292.2 million. Officials of the Multi-State Lottery Association, operators of the Powerball game, said they believe that more than 85 percent of possible number combinations were bought.
Winners of the prize must pay 39.6 percent in federal income taxes, plus any state taxes. Winners may take the money in annual payments over many years, or a smaller amount as a lump sum.
The jackpot had been growing since Nov. 4, when it was reset at $40 million. Gary Grief, Texas Lottery executive director, said the $1.6 billion was “absolutely” the world’s biggest jackpot.
Forty-four states sell Powerball tickets, as well as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. Residents in states that do not sell tickets frequently travel to neighboring states that do in order to get a chance on the jackpot.
Management of the Powerball Lottery rotates annually among states who are members of the Multi-State Lottery Association.