News writer, Interviewer
What would you do with $410 million?
Seven Bridges Revocable Trust of Fredericksburg, Texas, just claimed half of the $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot from the September 6 drawing. This marks the second-largest jackpot prize won in both Powerball and U.S. lottery history.
The trust chose the cash option and walked away with $410,324,470.28 before taxes. That's the largest prize ever paid to a single Texas Lottery player.
A ticket with a twist
The winner purchased their ticket at Big's 103, located at 11905 E. U.S. Highway 290. They matched all six numbers: 11-23-44-61-62, and Powerball 17.
Here's where it gets interesting. The player usually picks random numbers. This time, they chose numbers that meant something personal. But after buying the ticket, they realized one number was wrong. They had picked a different number than they intended.
The morning after the drawing, they checked the ticket while driving to church. They had won! They pulled over, checked the numbers several times, put the ticket in the glovebox, and went inside.
A win shared with the community
Through legal representation, the trust released a statement:
We are Texas true to the state and its values. We believe in family, in faith, and in the blessings that come through both. This is a moment of gratitude for us, a blessing we plan to enjoy and share with those who are special to us and who serve our community. We ask for privacy as we look forward to enjoying our lives together as a family. God bless Texas.
The retailer that sold the winning ticket received a $250,000 bonus. A second jackpot-winning ticket was sold in Missouri, splitting the grand prize.
How the jackpot grew
The winning jackpot started at $20 million on June 2. It rolled for 42 drawings, setting a record for Powerball's longest jackpot run before someone hit it.
This is the Texas Lottery's third Powerball jackpot winner since joining the game in 2010. The last Texas winner was in February 2015, when an Austin player won a share of the $564.1 million jackpot with two other winners.
The second-biggest Texas Lottery win was an $800 million Mega Millions jackpot-winning ticket sold in Sugar Land.
What this means for Texas
Courtney Arbour, executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which oversees the Texas Lottery, stated:
We're excited to celebrate this milestone with the claimant of the largest jackpot prize in Texas Lottery history. This record-setting prize shows that any Texas Lottery ticket could be the next big winner, all while helping to generate vital funding for public education and veterans' services right here in Texas.
How Powerball works
Powerball grand prizes start at $20 million and roll until someone wins. Players match five numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26.
Drawings happen every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:12 p.m. CT. Ticket sales close at 9 p.m. CT on draw nights.
Could the next winning ticket be yours?
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