In a moment that will undoubtedly go down in lottery history, an individual from Oregon has stepped forward to claim the jaw-dropping $1.326 billion Powerball jackpot from Saturday’s delayed drawing. This extraordinary win not only marks the largest Powerball prize ever claimed in the state but also shatters the previous record of $340 million set back in 2005.
The Oregon Lottery, in a press release issued on Sunday, confirmed that they are diligently working with the ticket holder, who courageously presented themselves on Monday to claim their life-changing prize. Officials have emphasized that the process involves meticulous security measures and comprehensive vetting procedures, which will require some time before the winner can be officially revealed to the public.
While the identity of the winner remains shrouded in mystery for now, Oregon law typically mandates that winning players be publicly identified, albeit with a few notable exceptions. The Oregon Lottery has refrained from providing any further details about the individual who boldly stepped forward to claim this monumental prize.
The fortunate ticket was acquired at a Plaid Pantry convenience store situated on Columbia Boulevard in Portland. As a gesture of gratitude, the store will be awarded a $100,000 bonus for their role in selling the jackpot-winning ticket, a fact confirmed by the Oregon Lottery.
Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells couldn’t contain his enthusiasm and cautionary approach to this unparalleled win, declaring, “This is an unprecedented jackpot win for Oregon Lottery. We’re taking every precaution to verify the winner before awarding the prize money, which will take time.” His words reflect the magnitude of the situation and the responsibility that comes with handling such a significant prize.
Saturday’s winning jackpot firmly establishes itself as the fourth-largest in Powerball’s illustrious history and the eighth-largest ever claimed in the United States. It’s worth noting that the Powerball jackpot was last won in Oregon back in 2018 when a Salem resident triumphantly claimed a $150.4 million prize.
In the wake of this colossal win, the Powerball jackpot reset to a more modest $20 million for the subsequent drawing on Monday. However, with no winners emerging from Monday’s drawing, the jackpot has now climbed to a tempting $31 million, boasting a cash value of $14.5 million.
For those eagerly jotting down the numbers, Monday’s winning combination was 6, 21, 23, 39, and 54, with the red Powerball being 23 and the Power Play set at an enticing 2X. Unfortunately, no Match 5 + Power Play $2 million winners or Match 5 $1 million winners were reported from Monday’s drawing.
If you’re feeling inspired to chase your own lottery dreams, tickets can be conveniently purchased in person at a variety of locations, including gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and even select airport terminals. For those preferring the digital route, tickets can be ordered online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in several participating U.S. states and territories.
As the anticipation reaches a fever pitch and the vetting process continues, the nation collectively holds its breath, eagerly awaiting the official announcement of the Oregon Powerball winner who has claimed the record-shattering $1.3 billion jackpot. This extraordinary win serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative nature of lottery dreams and the electric excitement that pulses through communities when such remarkable victories are achieved.
