WINNER WINNER
I was only winner in the nation when I won the $1m Powerball prize – and I didn’t even have to buy the ticket
The top lottery winners have collectively taken home over $5 billion
THE only ticket in the nation to win the $1 million jackpot went to a woman who didn’t even play the game.
A Virginia mother, Maria Roldan, cashed in on a million-dollar Powerball ticket for her son after he was getting ready to go on vacation.
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To not miss the drawing, he gave Roldan the ticket that ended up matching the first five winning numbers in the March 11 drawing.
It was the only ticket in the nation to win the $1 million prize in that drawing, according to the Virginia Lottery.
She and her son took the ticket to the Virginia Lottery’s Northern Virginia customer service center where they realized how much they’d won.
“You are kidding, right?” her son asked Virginia Lottery officials.
Read More on Lottery Winners
Roldan matched five of the numbers except the Powerball number.
If all six numbers matched, she would have won the estimated $532 million.
The winning numbers were 1-3-7-16-66, and the Powerball number was 5.
Keep in mind that playing the lottery can be risky, so it's wise to only buy a ticket if you can afford to do so.
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COME COLLECT
Winners have two options to choose from when they collect: the annuity or lump sum.
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The annuity is a set of yearly payments, while a lump sum issues out the money all at once.
Players who choose the lump sum typically lose tons of cash upfront due to taxes and other withholdings.
However, it may be considered the more careful option.
All winning tickets must be redeemed in the state or jurisdiction where they were sold.
Each state has its own set of rules, but the first step should always be to sign the back of your ticket.
Top lottery winners in the US
Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.
- Edwin Castro - $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
- Theodorus Struyck - $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
- Unknown winner - $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
- Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida - $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
- Unknown winner - $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
- Unknown winner - he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden - $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
- Unknown winner - $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
- Unknown winner - $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
- Yanira Alvarez - $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
- Wolverine FLL Lottery Club - $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
- Unknown winner - $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.
Based on the prize amount, claiming can be done at the places it was purchased, at a Claim Center, by mail, or through an e-Claim.
Make sure to claim your prize on time as once it's expired, it's gone for good.
The following games must be claimed within one year after the drawing date:
- Mega Millions
- Powerball
- Lotto
- Lucky Day Lotto
- Pick 3
- Pick 4
- Fast Play
PLAY POWERBALL
Tickets are $2 and sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
Idaho and Montana are states where Powerball is bundled with the game Power Play and priced at $3 per ticket.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.
Players pick numbers on a play slip or they can have the terminal randomly pick them.
Drawings are live every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 pm ET.
Cut-off times for purchasing will likely vary by a few hours before the drawing, depending on the selling jurisdiction.
To play, choose five numbers between one and 69 for the white balls, then choose one number between one and 26 for the red Powerball.
Prizes are won by matching one of the nine possible ways to win.
However, the big jackpot is won by matching all five white balls in any order including the red Powerball.
The jackpot will grow until someone wins.
Read More on The US Sun
Another winner took home the $2 million Powerball jackpot after buying a ticket at a cigar shop.
Plus, a New York woman stopped by a gas station and ended up winning $1 million on a scratch-off ticket.