On January 1, 2024, someone in Michigan won the $842.4 million Powerball jackpot, the first time it has been won on New Year’s Day since the game’s inception in 1992.
The winning numbers were 12, 21, 42, 44, and 49, and the red Powerball number was 1.
Final ticket purchases increased the jackpot from $810 million to $842.4 million at the time of the drawing, making it the fifth-largest Powerball jackpot and the tenth-largest U.S. lottery prize ever won.
The winning ticket was purchased at the Food Castle convenience store in Grand Blanc Township, which is located near Flint. According to WJRT, Food Castle has been a community staple for nearly 40 years.
“Usually, you hear stuff like that happening in different states,” said store owner Bill Nannoshi to the station. “That’s fantastic. It’s fantastic for this community. Grand Blanc, on the other hand, is a fantastic location to work.”
The prize had been increasing since mid-October before the big victory on New Year’s.
The Powerball jackpot has a one in 292.2 million chance of being won.
The winner will be able to choose between an annuitized award of $842.4 million paid over 30 years or a lump sum payout of $425.2 million. Both reward selections are exclusive of taxes.
Four more top-winning tickets, sold in California, Connecticut, Florida, and Maryland, matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. By including the Power Play option for an extra $1 for each play, two tickets from Florida and Texas matched all five white balls and won $2 million jackpots.
Powerball is available in 45 states as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.