$768 Million Powerball Jackpot Won by a Single Ticket
After four months of rollovers, the Powerball jackpot has been won by a sole ticket, bought in Wisconsin. The numbers 16, 20, 37, 44, 62, and Powerball number 12 were drawn on Wednesday March 27th, for the third-largest jackpot, not only in Powerball’s 27-year history, but in the history of lotteries.
The lucky winner hasn’t yet come forward, but the $768 million lottery ticket was reportedly bought from a retailer in New Berlin. The retailer will receive a $100,000 payout for the sale.
Largest Powerball Jackpot In WI
The Powerball jackpot on Wednesday evening represents the largest ever won in the state, and comes only two years after another Wisconsinite won a jackpot. On March 22nd, 2017, Milwaukee resident Mai Xiong was the sole winner of a $156 million prize.
Wisconsin Lottery Director Cindy Polzin commented on last night’s win: “It truly is incredible to think that the winning ticket for this historic jackpot was sold in our own backyard. I am extremely excited for the winners and for our state. This event puts us in the national spotlight and turns Wisconsin into WINsconsin.”
The advertised jackpot of $768 million refers to the total value of an annuity, paid out over 29 years. Powerball winners can choose the annuity, or a lump sum of less value – in this case, an estimated $477 million.
This isn’t Wisconsin’s first brush with big lottery payouts; last night’s victory marks the 17th time the Powerball jackpot has been won in the Badger State since 1992.
Biggest Jackpots In History
While the world waits with bated breath to learn the identity of the mystery multi-millionaire, let’s take a look at Powerball’s history of big winners.
Since replacing the original Lotto America in 1992, Powerball has become home to the largest jackpot prizes ever seen in any lottery. In 2016, the world’s largest jackpot – $1.58 billion – was won by three tickets in California, Florida and Tennessee respectively. Seven of the top ten largest jackpots worldwide belong to Powerball.
The as-yet-unnamed winner of Wednesday night’s jackpot will become one of the largest single-ticket lottery winners in history - second only to a South Carolina Mega Millions winner from October 2018.
Powerball is played by picking five numbers between 1 and 69, plus a Powerball number between 1 and 26. Matching all six numbers with the winning numbers drawn guarantees you a share of the jackpot. Powerball can be played in 44 states, as well as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For more information on the Powerball and how it works, take a look at the how to play guide.
Page Last Updated: 5/7/2019 9:12:50 AM ET
