Winners of $1.6 billion US Powerball jackpot still officially unknown

MUNFORD, Tenn. (AP) – If they’re wise, the three mystery winners of the world-record $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot will talk seriously with experts in tax law, financial planning, privacy, security and other safeguards before they become known around the planet. The jackpot on Wednesday was not just the largest in Powerball history, New York State lottery officials said, but also the largest of any lottery game in the United States. No one has claimed that prize yet, said Michigan Lottery spokesman Jeff Holyfield.

The retailers who sold the tickets will receive a $10,000 bonus. Despite the jackpot reaching into the billions, Lottery officials stated that the lump-sum cash value of the jackpot is valued at $930 million, which leaves each lucky victor with about $310 million each.

Each of the winning tickets is worth $528.8 million to the holders, lottery officials said in California, one of 44 states plus Washington, D.C., and two US territories that sold millions of Powerball tickets. In Florida, winners have just 180 days to claim their winnings – half that if they want the lump sum.

The lottery tweaked them to get more people to play and create a bigger jackpot – more white balls were added to the mix and some red balls were taken out, making it easier to win a small prize but at the same time, harder to match al six numbers.

Officials said Thursday that one of three winning tickets for Wednesday night’s world-record Powerball drawing was sold at Naifeh’s grocery store in Munford. Look it up I bought in Chino Hills where I grew up!

The odds of winning were at least one in 292 million.

Atwal said he owns four 7-Eleven stores, the others are in Yorba Linda, La Habra and Diamond Bar. People were buying 37,000 Powerball tickets a minute in California, where $386 million in Powerball tickets were sold since November 4, the most of any state and more than California sold in the entire previous fiscal year, spokesman Russ Lopez said.

“The victor could be as close as your neighbors!” said Lisa Londini, a professional caregiver shopping at the market. “Our goal is to have a lot of people play a little bit”.

Chino Hills has 78,000 residents and Mayor Art Bennett describes the city as a rural-style suburb where cows can be seen grazing on hillsides. “I wish it was me!” Dalton reported from Los Angeles.

He says the jackpot will put Chino Hills on the map.