News writer
The Big Apple is buzzing with jackpot fever. A single Powerball ticket sold in New York has matched all six numbers to claim a life-changing $256 million prize for the Saturday, December 7, 2024, drawing.
This big win is the state's first jackpot win since 2020 and the ninth jackpot win for Powerball players nationwide in 2024. With a choice between a lifetime payout or a hefty lump sum, the winner's life is about to change very quickly — but their identity remains a mystery for now.
The winning numbers
The winning white ball numbers in Saturday night's drawing were 1, 31, 43, 55, and 57, and the Powerball number was 22. The Power Play multiplier was 2X.
Heading into the night, the jackpot was worth $256 million. The jackpot has a cash value of $123.5 million.
The winning ticket
The New York Lottery announced that one prize-winning ticket worth $256 million was sold at Hua Lian Supermarket, located at 25-03 Parson Blvd. in Flushing.
When the lucky winner comes forward, they have some decisions to make. They can choose between an annuitized prize of $256 million or a lump sum payment of $123.5 million; both prize options are before taxes.
If the winner does happen to select the annuity option, they would receive one immediate payment. They would then receive 29 annual payments, which happen to increase by 5-percent each year.
Ninth Powerball jackpot winner of 2024
While we have only seen three Mega Millions jackpot winners in 2024, this marks the ninth Powerball jackpot won this year and all nine jackpot winners have come from nine different states. The last time we have seen nine jackpot wins in one calendar year was in 2018.
Here is a look at the 2024 Powerball jackpots won:
- January 1, 2024 – $842.4 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Michigan
- April 6, 2024 – $1.33 billion jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Oregon
- May 6, 2024 – $214.9 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Florida
- June 10, 2024 – $226.6 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in New Jersey
- July 3, 2024 – $139.3 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Ohio
- August 12, 2024 – $213.8 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Pennsylvania
- August 19, 2024 – $44.3 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in California
- October 23, 2024 – $478.2 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Georgia
- December 7, 2024 – $256 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in New York
Powerball jackpot wins in New York
The first Powerball drawing took place in April 1992. Currently, there are 48 jurisdictions that participate in the Powerball lottery, which includes 45 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.
The New York Lottery started selling Powerball tickets in 2010. Since then, the state has seen 13 different jackpot winners. Here is a breakdown of those winners:
- December 25, 2010 – $48.8 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Saratoga Springs
- January 22, 2011 – $122.1 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Catskill
- June 1, 2011 – $201.9 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Lindenhurst
- February 25, 2012 – $70 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Hartsdale
- November 16, 2013 – $130.3 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in New York City
- March 14, 2015 – $136 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Staten Island
- August 11, 2018 – $245.6 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Staten Island
- October 27, 2018 – $687.8 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in New York City
- December 26, 2018 – $298.3 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Brooklyn
- August 17, 2019 – $148 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Merrick
- September 4, 2019 – $80 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Derby
- September 16, 2020 – $94.8 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Malta
- December 7, 2024 – $256 million jackpot won by a ticket purchased in Flushing
The Big Apple has had a four-year drought for jackpot winners, but this latest win put that to an end. Maybe it can stay strong into the new year?
Enjoy playing the New York Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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