An Oregon Powerball player hit the jackpot on April 6, walking away with a staggering $1.33 billion – the fourth-largest Powerball prize ever recorded. The winner's identity remains unknown, but they beat the one in 292.2 million odds to claim the fourth-largest spot in the Powerball history books and the eighth-largest for U.S. lottery jackpots. The lucky ticket matched all numbers: 22, 27, 44, 52, 69, and the Powerball 9, as reported by the Detroit Free Press.
Meanwhile, Michigan had its share of lottery luck with an online player matching five white balls to win $1 million, joining six other states with tickets of equal value winners, and the next jackpot is set at $20 million - not too shabby for a reset. The Michigan lottery winner and their interstate counterparts could've doubled their takings had they opted for the Power Play multiplier, set at three for the recent draw, nobody had selected this potentially lucrative option, however, according to MLive. The list of $1 million winners extended beyond the Great Lakes state, with lucky individuals in Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, and Wyoming also lining their pockets.
The drawing's results were eagerly awaited, but technical difficulties led to a significant delay, with the numbers not being announced until 2:29 a.m. ET. The delay sparked frustration and speculation among players, with some airing their grievances on social platforms, as noted by the Indianapolis Star. However, the Powerball officials maintained that the delay was necessary to ensure the integrity and security of the game, with thorough pre-draw procedures in place.
The win in Oregon brings the total number of Powerball jackpots won in 2024 to two, with a ticket sold in Michigan on Jan. 1 claiming a previous $842.4 million prize, the celebrations continued in Michigan, where the Wolverine FLL lottery club, which scored a $1.05 billion jackpot in March 2021, is reportedly planning to give back to the community. The recent winners are urged to check their tickets promptly, as a $1 million prize sold in Southfield in 2023 went unclaimed, resulting in the funds being diverted to the state's School Aid Fund, a cautionary tale from the Michigan Lottery to always double-check your numbers.
