Rural Texas Gas Station Sells Winning $1.8 billion Powerball Ticket
A roadside gas station in rural Texas sold one of two winning tickets for the record-breaking $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot drawn Monday night, instantly making its purchaser a multi-millionaire. The winning ticket was sold at Bigs Gas Station, sending shockwaves through the small community adn marking only the third time a powerball jackpot has been sold in Texas.
This historic win comes as the largest Powerball jackpot ever offered,captivating the nation and prompting a surge in ticket sales. The two winning ticket holders will split the prize, each with the option of receiving an annuitized payout of $895 million over 29 years or a lump sum of $410.3 million before taxes.The other winning ticket was sold in Missouri.
Melanie Carter, the manager of Bigs Gas Station, expressed her surprise, stating to CBS Austin, ”I was floored when I learned the news on Sunday morning.”
The winning numbers were 11, 23, 44, 61, 62, with a red Powerball of 17. Fifteen players nationwide matched all five white balls, winning a $1 million prize. Winners hailed from California (2), Colorado, Florida, Illinois (2), Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, new York (2), Ohio (2), Oregon, texas (2), and West Virginia.
missouri has now seen 33 Powerball jackpot wins, the most of any state, followed by Indiana with 39. Ticket holders have between 90 days and one year to claim their prizes, depending on state regulations. Bigs Gas Station did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
