The wait is finally over. After a staggering three months without a grand prize winner, the colossal Powerball jackpot has been struck not once, but twice, creating two instant billionaires on either side of the American heartland.
The winning numbers drawn on Saturday night—2, 6, 29, 59, 60, and the crucial Powerball 10—proved to be the golden ticket for two individuals. One winning slip was sold in Missouri, with the other emerging from Texas, splitting the jaw-dropping $1.7 billion (£1.3 billion) prize.
A Jackpot That Captured a Nation
The prize had been steadily rolling over since the last winner was crowned on 14th June, growing to become the second-largest in Powerball's storied history and the third-largest ever recorded in US lottery annals. The sheer size of the pot sparked a nationwide frenzy, with queues forming at convenience stores and petrol stations as millions dared to dream of a life-changing fortune.
The winners now face the life-altering decision of how to claim their windfall. They can opt for the gargantuan one-time lump sum payment, estimated at a staggering $757.2 million (£585 million) each after federal taxes, or choose the annuity option, which would see the full amount paid out in 30 graduated instalments over the next 29 years.
Where Fortune Smiled
While the identities of the winners remain a mystery, the locations of their incredible luck are known. The Missouri ticket was purchased at a Lucky Dollar convenience store in Kansas City. In Texas, the winning slip was sold at a Food Zone supermarket in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Both retailers are also set for a handsome bonus, each receiving a $1 million seller's commission for their role in lottery history.
Powerball officials have confirmed that both winning parties have already made initial contact to begin the validation process. They now have a window of 180 days to come forward formally and claim their share of the historic bounty.
This monumental win resets the Powerball jackpot back to its starting value of $20 million, offering a new glimmer of hope and starting the cycle of anticipation all over again for players across the 45 participating states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
