Portland, Oregon – Lottery officials in Oregon are awaiting the verification of the eighth-largest lottery prize in U.S. history after a ticket holder matched all six Powerball numbers to win a $1.3 billion jackpot. The fortunate individual purchased the winning ticket at a convenience store in northeastern Portland.
The winner came forward on Monday to claim their prize, sparking excitement among lottery officials and the community. For selling the winning ticket, the Plaid Pantry location is set to receive a $100,000 bonus, with additional bonuses likely for the store’s employees. CEO Jonathan Polonsky expressed the thrill of being part of such a momentous occasion.
Efforts are now being made to verify the win and arrange for the massive sum to be paid out to the winner. Coordination with the Multi-State Lottery Association, which oversees Powerball and Mega Millions, is necessary for this process, thereby causing a delay in the announcement of the winner.
Oregon has seen its fair share of lottery luck in the past with five previous Powerball jackpot winners, including two families who won a $340 million prize in 2005. The current jackpot holds a cash value of $621 million for the lucky winner, who must decide between a lump sum or annual installments spread over 30 years.
Upon claiming the prize, the winner will be subject to federal and state taxes in Oregon, reducing the overall amount received. This particular jackpot marks the fourth-largest in Powerball history and the eighth-largest among U.S. jackpot games, according to the Oregon Lottery officials.
While Oregon eagerly anticipates the verification and payment of the massive prize, the largest U.S. lottery jackpot record still stands at $2.04 billion, won in California in 2022. The thrill of potential wealth and the excitement of winning the lottery continue to captivate individuals across the country, sparking dreams of a life-changing jackpot.