Michigan Powerball Ticket Hits $842M Jackpot, Game’s Fifth-Richest Prize

Posted on: January 2, 2024, 10:13h. 

Last updated on: January 2, 2024, 12:10h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Monday was a great start to the New Year for a lucky Powerball player in Michigan.

Powerball jackpot Michigan Lottery
If you purchased a Powerball ticket at the Food Castle in Michigan’s Grand Blanc for the game’s January 1 drawing, you might want to inspect your numbers. Powerball officials say a ticket sold at the store is worth $842.2 million. (Image: Getty)

After the Powerball jackpot evaded players for 34 consecutive drawings dating back to mid-October, a single ticket sold in Michigan matched the five drawn white balls and the red Powerball during Monday night’s pull. The winning numbers were 12, 21, 42, 44, 49, and the red Powerball 1. The Power Play multiplier was 3X.

The holder of the lone winning jackpot ticket will have the option to collect the full value of the advertised jackpot paid out over 29 years, or to take a one-time cash option of approximately $425.2 million. The prizes are before federal and state taxes.

“What an incredible beginning to the New Year for Powerball,” said Drew Svitko, chair of the Powerball Product Group and the executive director of the Pennsylvania Lottery. “In addition to our big jackpot winner, there are hundreds of good causes supported by U.S. lotteries that will receive further funding from this jackpot run.”

After the feds take their 37% cut, which is the effective tax rate imposed on the nation’s highest earners, and Michigan levies its 4.25% state tax, the winner will receive about $496.2 million through the annuity, or $249.8 million in cash.

Top 10 Powerball Jackpots

  1. $2.04 Billion — Nov. 7, 2022 — Calif.
  2. $1.765 Billion — Oct. 11, 2023 — Calif.
  3. $1.586 Billion — Jan. 13, 2016 — Calif., Fla., Tenn.
  4. $1.08 Billion — July 19, 2023 — Calif.
  5. $842.4 Million — Jan. 1, 2024 — Mich.
  6. $768.4 Million — March 27, 2019 — Wis.
  7. $758.7 Million — Aug. 23, 2017 — Mass.
  8. $754.6 Million — Feb. 6, 2023 — Wash.
  9. $731.1 Million — Jan. 20, 2021 — Md.
  10. $699.8 Million — Oct. 4, 2021 — Calif.

Winner’s Identity

Whoever overcame the dismal odds of one in 292.2 million in winning Monday night’s Powerball jackpot will one day become known to the public. In Michigan, lottery winners must agree to allow their names to become part of the public record when collecting major prizes. The state statute is designed to ensure the public’s trust in the lottery’s operations.

The lucky ticket was sold at the Food Castle at 3035 E. Grand Blanc Rd. in Grand Blanc. The quick-stop store will receive a $100K bonus for selling the winning ticket.

I don’t know who won. I hope it’s one of our regulars,” Bill Nannonhi, Food Castle owner, told The Detroit News.

If the winner wants to select the annuity, they must come forward within 60 days to notify the lottery of the payment preference. The ticket can be redeemed for the cash option for up to a year.

New Year’s Day Winners

Along with the Michigan player’s life-changing win, Powerball officials said more than 1.8 million tickets won some sort of prize through the game’s nine ways to win. Unfortunately for players, the great majority of those winning plays — over 1.45 million tickets — won just $4 to $7.

Four tickets won $1 million each after matching the five white balls, but not the red Powerball. Another two tickets also matched the five drawn white numbers, but purchased the $1 add-on Power Play to double their prize to $2 million.