A solitary lottery player in Louisiana is experiencing the ultimate case of 'what if', coming within a single digit of claiming an eye-watering $1 billion Powerball jackpot.
The unknown ticket-holder, who purchased the slip in the Pelican State, successfully matched the five main numbers in Wednesday's colossal draw. The heartbreak came as their chosen Powerball number failed to align with the winning one, relegating them to a still-impressive $1 million prize.
The Agony and the Ecstasy
While the grand $1.07 billion top prize remains unclaimed—its winner potentially still unaware they hold the golden ticket—the Louisiana player's near-miss has captivated the nation. The winning main numbers were 7, 13, 10, 24, 11, with the crucial Powerball number being 24.
Had the player's final digit matched, they would have joined an elite club of lottery billionaires, with the option to take a staggering $527.3 million lump-sum payment after taxes.
A State Awash with 'Almost' Winners
Louisiana's luck didn't end with one near-billionaire. The state lottery confirmed a further two tickets matched four main numbers plus the Powerball, netting those players $50,000 each. This flurry of winning activity suggests Louisianans were fervently chasing the historic jackpot, which had rolled over for three consecutive months.
The winning ticket for the billion-dollar grand prize was ultimately sold in California, but the story of the one that got away in Louisiana is a powerful reminder of how fate hinges on the smallest of margins.
