A South Shore resident has secured a $1 million prize after matching numbers in the latest Powerball drawing, according to the Massachusetts State Lottery. The winning ticket was confirmed following the October drawing, which drew attention from thousands of players across the state hoping to land one of the game’s top prizes.
The Massachusetts Lottery revealed that the $1 million winning ticket was sold in the South Shore region. The ticket matched all five white-ball figures but didn't include the red Powerball. Matching five white balls without the Powerball secures a $1 million prize, which is one of the largest secondary winnings available in the game.
Lottery officers haven't really shared the identity of the winner, as players are allowed to take time to claim their prize and may choose to remain anonymous, depending on state laws. The retailer that vended the winning ticket will also receive a perk for its part in distributing the lucky ticket.
Powerball is one of the most extensively played lottery games in the United States, operating in 45 states along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each ticket costs $2 and requires players to pick five figures between 1 and 69, plus one Powerball number from 1 to 26.
To win the jackpot, all six figures must match. Still, Powerball also offers a range of secondary prizes, such as $1 million for five white balls, and amounts ranging from $50,000 to $4, depending on how many figures are matched.
Players may also add the Power Play option for a fresh $1, which can multiply non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five or indeed 10 times, depending on the multiplier drawn.
The most recent drawing didn't actually have a jackpot winner, which means the grand prize has rolled over once again. The jackpot continues to climb, reaching hundreds of millions of bones for forthcoming drawings. This rollover system builds expectations as further players purchase tickets in the hope of securing the top prize.
Although the $1 million prize is not the jackpot, it's still a major prize that highlights the range of openings Powerball offers. Massachusetts Lottery officers verified that several other lower prizes were also won across the state.
Winners of lower prizes can generally claim their prizes directly through authorized retailers, but larger prizes, such as the $1 million, must be claimed at lottery services.
According to Massachusetts rules, winners generally have one time from the date of the drawing to claim their prize. Still, finances are generally returned to the state and may be used to support public programs funded by the lottery if prizes go unclaimed within the specified time frame.
The South Shore win adds another win to Massachusetts’ long history with Powerball, where both large and small triumphs have passed regularly over time. With the jackpot rolling over and expectation structure, players across the state are preparing for the coming drawing to see if another original ticket holder will strike it big.
TOPICS: Powerball