For Elizabeth Fuquay of Camby, a routine pair of Powerball plays turned into a six-figure surprise when she learned Friday that her usual tickets had hit for a $200,000 prize. The Hoosier Lottery later confirmed she had claimed the windfall after adding the Power Play and Double Play options to her tickets. She and her husband say the money will cover a family vacation with their son, some shopping, and investments for the future.
Lottery Confirms $200,000 Claim
According to the Hoosier Lottery, Fuquay went to the prize payment office to officially claim the $200,000 award. Lottery officials noted that she buys two Powerball plays each week and regularly tacks on the Power Play and Double Play features as part of her standard routine.
How She Found Out
Fuquay did not initially realize how big the win was. WTHR reports that her sister, who lives in Kentucky, checked the winning numbers online and spotted the prize before Fuquay did. When Fuquay locked onto her phone to confirm the news, her husband later joked that he thought someone had died because she was staring at the screen so intently. The station notes that her regular play, using the same panels with those add-ons, finally paid off in a big way.
How Power Play and Double Play Boosted the Payout
Power Play and Double Play are designed to stretch non-jackpot wins beyond the base prize. As explained by the Maryland Lottery, Power Play is a $1-per-play add-on that multiplies most non-jackpot Powerball prizes, while Double Play enters the same numbers into a separate second drawing for another shot at a payout. When those features line up with the right numbers and multipliers, a standard mid-tier win can jump into serious cash territory.
Winner's Plans
Fuquay told lottery officials that she plans to use part of the money to take her son on a family vacation, treat herself to some shopping, and invest the rest, WTHR reports. She also said she sticks to a strict budget for lottery spending and does not go beyond the amount she sets aside.
Claiming a Prize and Next Steps
The Hoosier Lottery advises winners to immediately sign the back of winning tickets and store them in a secure location, then contact customer service for detailed claim instructions. Draw-game prizes in Indiana must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing, the agency notes. For larger wins, the lottery also recommends that players talk with financial and tax professionals before making any public announcements or big moves, according to the Hoosier Lottery.
