Powerball player wins $2.47 billion jackpot – second-largest prize in history

The instant billionaire is believed to be a local who visits the shops every day to “religiously” play the lottery.

The jackpot-winning ticket was sold on Wednesday night. Picture: AFP

The world has another billionaire after a single ticket purchased in California struck a colossal $2.47 billion (AUD) Powerball jackpot.

The winning numbers were 22, 24, 40, 52, 64, and the red Powerball 10.

The life-changing ticket was sold at Midway Market & Liquors in Frazier Park, Calif., located 75 miles north of Los Angeles.

The new billionaire is believed to be a local Frazier Park resident who visits the store every day to “religiously” play the lottery.

“There’s people that come in every day to get their tickets, we know them by name and I’m sure someone’s gonna be screaming up and down,” Duke, the store’s night worker told KCAL.

“They come in every day to get their tickets religiously and a lot of them said, ‘Oh if I win, I’m gonna get you a new truck,’ so where’s my truck I’ll be waiting.”

It is the fifth time that the Powerball grand prize was won this year.

The Powerball jackpot has skyrocketed to a jaw-dropping $2.47 billion. Pictures: AFP

The newest jackpot winner could either receive the $2.47 billion jackpot in 30 incremental payments over 29 years or outright claim a $1.06 billion cash prize.

Arizona and Pennsylvania had one ticket each match all five white balls and an extra bonus from the 2x Power Play for a $2.76 million prize.

Seven people — California (2), Florida (2), New York, Oklahoma and Virginia — won $1.38 million when they correctly guessed each of the white balls.

The odds of a ticket holder matching all five numbers plus the red Powerball is an astronomical 1 in 292,201,338.

Following the results of Wednesday’s drawing, California has produced the winner of the four largest Powerball drawings in the game’s history.

The last winning Powerball ticket was sold on July 19 for a grand prize of $1.489 billion to an unidentified individual in California.

But Edwin Castro, the winner of the largest Powerball jackpot in the game’s existence, remains the big winner as he enjoys his riches with lavish purchases

Since he won, Castro purchased three luxurious homes in California after he chose the one-time lump sum payment of $997.6 million from the $2 billion jackpot.

What is the largest Powerball jackpot?

The Powerball jackpot for October 11, 2023 was valued at approximately $2.47 billion.

1. $2.85 billion – November 7, 2022 – California

2. $2.47 billion – October 11, 2023 – California, Frazier Park

3. $2.21 billion – January 13, 2016 – California, Florida, Tennessee

4. $1.5 billion – July 19, 2023 – California

5. $1.07 billion – March 27, 2019 – Wisconsin

6. $1.06 billion – August 23, 2017 – Massachusetts

7. $1.05 billion – February 6, 2023 – Washington

8. $1.02 billion – January 20, 2021 – Maryland

9. $975 million – October 4, 2021 – California

10. $957 million – October 27, 2018 – Iowa, New York