An Austinite just got a whole lot luckier, scooping up a cool $1 million from the Texas Lottery after a Powerball drawing earlier this month. Officials confirmed that the prize was claimed from the drawing held on March 8, as they announced on Wednesday—a spot of good news for one local resident, who has opted to stay out of the spotlight by remaining anonymous, CBS Austin reports.
This particular ticket was bought at Dry Creek Shell LLC, situated at 3800 Dry Creek Road, and managed to match all five white ball numbers: 2, 4, 16, 23, and 63. However, the titular Powerball number, 13, remained elusive, keeping the jackpot just out of reach. But, the win isn't just a personal victory—it comes at a time when the state's lottery system is under the microscope. State legislators are indeed moving to curb potential gaming of the system by those making bulk purchases after some attention-grabbing wins were scooped up by high-volume buyers, reports CBS Austin.
As the whir of legislation buzzes in Austin, the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs is thumbing through Senate Bill 1346, which aims to slam the brakes on anyone trying to beat the odds by snapping up all possible winning combos in a Powerball draw.
Whether or not new legislation passes, hopeful Texans can still toss their hats into the ring for a future windfall. Powerball draws are a thrice-weekly affair, taking place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday night at precisely 10:12 p.m. According to an announcement from the Texas Lottery released to the press, the path to potential riches remains open to all those willing to take a chance on their numbers coming up.
So, if you're feeling lucky and your dreams are lined with dollar signs—for the time being, at least—the next Powerball drawing is still an option. Who knows? The next millionaire could be a simple ticket away, KXAN muses. And for those not quite ready to gamble, the real spectacle might just be the ongoing legal tango surrounding Texas' lottery laws.
