Salem, Oregon- One lucky Oregonian, has emerged as the holder of a staggering $1.326 billion winning ticket, marking it as the fourth largest jackpot in Powerball’s history.
Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells expressed jubilation, stating, “I want to congratulate the winner on this life-changing moment. No one in Oregon has ever won a prize on this scale, and it’s very exciting for our staff and players.” Wells also highlighted the broader impact, noting that every player contributes to supporting statewide programs and services with Lottery dollars.
The fortunate winner, from Portland, has a grace period of one year to step forward and claim their life-altering prize. However, state regulations dictate that, with few exceptions, players in Oregon cannot remain anonymous. Notably, this windfall eclipses the previous record set by a $340 million jackpot won in 2005. The last Powerball jackpot won in Oregon occurred in 2018, when a Salem resident secured $150.4 million.
A significant portion of the game’s sales, approximately one-third, will be directed back to state beneficiaries, fostering economic development, supporting education, veteran services, state parks, and more.
Retailers who vend lottery tickets also stand to gain, receiving commissions from increased ticket sales and bonus payments for lower-tier wins. For instance, an Oregon retailer selling a $1 million ticket would earn a $10,000 bonus.
Saturday’s jackpot ranks as the eighth largest among U.S. lottery jackpot games. Previously, on New Year’s Day in Michigan, a ticket clinched an $842.4 million jackpot. Powerball, a multi-state jackpot, operates across 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.As the excitement reverberates, the Oregon Lottery advises all players to promptly sign the back of their tickets to ensure smooth prize claiming.
Source: Oregon Lottery
