Two Powerball jackpot-winning tickets, worth $1.8 billion each, sold in Missouri and Texas

In a historic event, two lucky individuals have won the Powerball jackpot worth an estimated $1.8 billion on Saturday. The winning tickets were sold in Missouri and Texas, marking the end of a three-month drought for the coveted prize.

The winning numbers for the Powerball were 11, 23, 44, 61, 62, and the Powerball number was 17. This jackpot, with a cash option of $826.4 million, is the third-largest lottery prize in U.S. history.

One of the winners, hailing from Texas, purchased the winning ticket at a gas station in Fredericksburg. The identity of the Texas winner remains unknown as Texas is one of ten states that allow lottery winners to claim their prizes anonymously for wins above a certain amount, ranging from $10,000 in Minnesota to $10 million in Virginia.

The other winner, from Missouri, has chosen to remain anonymous through a private trust, a practice allowed in some states. The family of the Michigan couple, who won the $842.4 million jackpot in 2024, also opted for anonymity and hired a public relations team to manage their social media profiles.

Eighteen other individuals won $1 million by matching all five white balls drawn but not the red Powerball. These tickets were sold in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, West Virginia, and two were sold in Missouri.

The Powerball game, which costs $2, is offered in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The big multi-state lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions have disrupted the traditional approach of announcing winners at fairs with ticket holders in the audience, as was common in the past.

Lotteries in America date back to the 1700s and were initially more like raffles. However, the modern lottery system, with its multi-state games and massive jackpots, has become a significant part of American culture.

While winning the Powerball jackpot can bring immense wealth, it is not without its challenges. One notable example is Andrew "Jack" Whittaker Jr. of West Virginia, who won a lump sum of $113.4 million after taxes in 2002, the largest U.S. lottery jackpot won by a single ticket to date. Whittaker, unfortunately, fell victim to scandals, lawsuits, and personal setbacks, and he passed away in 2020.

States have an interest in disclosing the names of winners to thwart fraud and boost trust. However, the debate over anonymity continues, with some arguing that winners should have the right to privacy to protect themselves from unwanted attention and potential scammers.

As the dust settles on the latest Powerball jackpot, the winners are left to navigate their newfound wealth and the changes it brings. The anonymity of the Texas and Michigan winners adds an extra layer of intrigue to their stories, leaving many wondering who they are and how they plan to use their winnings.

Two Powerball jackpot-winning tickets, worth $1.8 billion each, sold in Missouri and Texas