Store owners who sold $1.76B Powerball ticket get their own $1 million check
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Just three days after the Powerball $1.76 billion prize was drawn, California Lottery officials gathered at Midway Market and Liquor store today to make a grand check presentation to the retailer.
It was a commission check for $1 million and given to the store for their participation in selling the main jackpot prize.
Spokesperson for the California Lottery, Carolyn Becker, addressed the audience and the media including KTLA 5, and revealed that the jaw-dropping billion-dollar jackpot was still yet to be claimed.
The winning ticket was sold at Midway Market and Liquor on Frazier Mountain Park Road in Frazier Park, a charming mountain community nestled in Kern County with approximately 2,500 residents, both full and part-time.
The record-breaking win marks the third billion-dollar jackpot winner in Southern California in less than a year. Last November, a $2 billion ticket was sold in Altadena, followed by a $1 billion jackpot ticket in downtown LA.
The lucky winner of this recent jackpot will have the option to receive a lump sum of $774 million before federal taxes.
Carolyn Becker shared insights into the process of identifying the winner or winners.
"We won't know who that person is, or maybe it's a group of friends or family members who played together until they come forward,” she announced.
“So, once that happens, which they have a year to do, then we begin what we call the claims process." She emphasized that the ticket is the key to unlocking the prize money, so the winner must keep it incredibly safe.
As the winner's identity remains undisclosed, the press conference highlighted the invaluable partnerships with the 23,000 brick-and-mortar California retailers who sell lottery tickets in person.
Becker expressed gratitude for these important partnerships, emphasizing that this sequence alone generated over $18 million for California retailers.
In the spirit of celebrating this monumental win, the owners of Midway Market and Liquor, Chris and Nidal ‘Andy’ Khalil, expressed their appreciation for their loyal Frazier Park community and the Lottery team's support.
Their words of gratitude and humility resonated with the audience. The owners mentioned it was their intention to secure their kids' future by using the funds for college education.
The press conference was a reminder of the California Lottery's mission to generate supplemental funding for California education, which has raised over $41 billion over its nearly 40-year history.
The California Lottery encourages all players to buy their tickets from authorized retailers like Midway Market and Liquor, emphasizing that online ticket sales are illegal.
The story of this impressive jackpot win is set to continue as the world waits to learn the identity of the lucky recipient of the second-largest Powerball jackpot in history.
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA LOTTERY
5 Facts You May Not Know About The California Lottery
1. Enormous Contributions to Education: Since its inception in 1985, the California State Lottery has contributed over $41 billion to public education in the state. These funds have significantly benefited K-12 schools, community colleges, and public universities, helping enhance educational programs and opportunities for students.
2. Multi-Million Dollar Jackpots: California is known for its jaw-dropping lottery jackpots. The state has produced several record-breaking wins, including the largest Powerball jackpot ever won by a single ticket - $2.04 billion in November 2022.
3. Retailer Bonuses: California's lottery retailers are not just places to purchase tickets but also benefit from the lottery's success. The California Lottery has distributed millions of dollars in bonuses and commissions to its network of over 23,000 retailers across the state.
4. Local Impact: The California Lottery has positively impacted local communities. When jackpot winners come forward, the news often highlights the towns or neighborhoods where the tickets were sold, creating a sense of pride and excitement within these communities.
5. A Diverse Range of Games: The California State Lottery offers a wide variety of games beyond traditional lotto draws, including Scratchers, daily games, and numerous themed games that cater to different player preferences. These diverse offerings provide entertainment and opportunities for players of all backgrounds and interests. The games are:
Daily 3
Daily 4
Daily Derby
Fantasy 5
SuperLotto Plus
Hot Spot
Mega Millions
Powerball
