Winners of record US lottery jackpot still unknown

The identities of three ticket-holders who've won a share of a record $1.6 billion lottery jackpot in the United States are still unknown.

Winners of record US lottery jackpot still unknownWinners of record US lottery jackpot still unknown

Winners of record US lottery jackpot still unknown Source: Getty Images

The identities of three ticket-holders who've won a share of a record $1.6 billion (US) lottery jackpot in the United States are still unknown.

Millions of tickets were sold in 44 US states, with the draw taking place in Florida.

As Oliver Jones reports, the winners overcame odds of 1 in 292 million.

19 previous draws produced no winners -- rolling the US Powerball jackpot into a total of $1.6 billion.

The amount will be split equally between three, still officially unknown, ticket-holders -- who are believed to have lottery tickets purchased in the states of Tennessee, California and Florida.

Rebecca Hargrove is the president of the Tennessee Lottery Corporation - which is responsible for operating the lottery in that state.

She says the winners would benefit from some financial advice.

"Our advice to whoever has that ticket is to make sure you sign the back of it, because the back of the ticket signature is a bearer instrument, so if you sign it you know it's yours. I'd suggest you get financial advice from someone you knew before you won. There are big tax consequences on whether you take the annuity or the lump sum, so make sure you check with somebody to make sure you take what's best for you. It makes no difference to us, it's the same either way. Get advice, sign the ticket and enjoy it."

Ms Hargrove's advice comes after groups of people descended on the venues where the winning tickets were sold.

There was frenzy in Chino Hills, California, with crowds cheering outside a 7Eleven convenience store.

Local resident Claudia Gonzalez couldn't contain her excitement.

"I'm out here because it's exciting to know that somebody from our little city won. It's so exciting. I'm excitement for them and I don't even know who it is!"

Each of the stores will also receive a bonus payment from lottery authorities.

The California 7Eleven store owner, Balbir Atwal, will receive the largest amount -- one million dollars.

He told people gathered outside his store how he plans to spend the money.

"First thing I will give to some charity and then I will be sharing with my own employees and with my family and friends."

A Florida retailer will receive $100,000.

The owner of a foodmart in Munford, Tennessee, gets $25,000.

Dana Naifeh says she hopes the winner linked to her store will contribute to the local community.

"I hope it's a local person. I hope they love Tipton County and Munford and they will give back and make a difference in our community."

Rebecca Hargrove from the Tennessee Lottery Corporation says state laws require that lottery winners be publicly named.

"The state law in Tennessee means we are subject to open records, so we will have the name of the winner and if any of you ask, we will have to release that. I can't imagine that you won't ask, right?"

The Powerball payout was the largest lottery prize ever offered in North America.

No other lottery in the world has ever featured a jackpot of that size that could be won on a single ticket.

In some states, winners have up to one year to claim Powerball prize money.

 

 


Share

3 min read

Published

Updated

By Oliver Jones


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world