Arkansas Lottery Finally Addresses $1.817 Billion Powerball Winner
The Arkansas Lottery has finally acknowledged the state’s biggest lottery win in history.
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery was presumably on vacation over the Christmas holiday. Lottery officials have finally released information about the Christmas Eve winner after six days.
“Winning Powerball Ticket Worth $1.817 Billion Sold in Cabot,” the Dec. 30 lottery press release was titled. Such significant winnings are usually promptly publicized by state lotteries, but it appears that lottery officials in Arkansas relished their vacation before reacting to the momentous announcement.
The winning ticket for the second-largest lottery jackpot in US history, as reported by Casino.org. The ticket for the drawing on December 24 was sold at the Murphy USA petrol station in Cabot. The ticket matched the winning numbers of 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, and the red Powerball 19.
Statement from the Lottery
The owner of the life-altering ticket had the choice of accepting a one-time cash payout of $834.9 million or the full annuitized reward paid out through 30 yearly payments of $1.817 billion, according to information provided by Arkansas Scholarship Lottery officials about a week after the historic victory. Both awards are before state taxes of 3.9% and federal taxes of 37%.
“This is a great moment for the state of Arkansas,” said Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Executive Director Sharon Strong.
"For one thing, it will contribute positively to the state tax revenue. Beyond that, the winning ticket was sold at an Arkansas-based company, Murphy USA, bringing the impact full circle. It demonstrates how beneficial the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery is to our state, from the players’ winnings to the retailer commissions that support our local communities and, ultimately, the funds raised for in-state scholarships,” Strong added.
The Cabot Murphy USA convenience store gets a $50,000 commission for selling the winning Powerball ticket. The Powerball run's earnings support the Arkansas Lottery Scholarship's goal of providing financing for student scholarships in Arkansas.
State Alert
Following the game-changing Powerball victory, a number of Arkansas residents have claimed to be the big winner. The Arkansas Lottery says anyone who tries to redeem the prize without being the rightful owner of the ticket faces a Class D felony charge.
"Fraudulent tickets will be subject to investigation and could lead to arrest,” advised Arkansas Lottery Scholarship Director of Investigation and Enforcement Blake Hudson.
The Powerball ticket hasn't been used yet. The winner can redeem the prize within 180 days of December 24. Until their identity is made public, the winner may stay anonymous for three years.
However, the three-year anonymity is not granted if the winner is an elected official or a member of an elected official's family.
According to the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, "an extensive authorization process is in place to validate whether a ticket is a winning ticket." Beware, con artists.