Maryland Group Claims $731.1 Million Powerball Win
After four months of suspense, a very lucky group of Maryland Lottery players have come forward to claim a record $731.1 million Powerball jackpot they won in January. It's the biggest prize in the state's history as well as the sixth-highest US lottery prize and fourth-largest Powerball jackpot of all time.
The group members, who nicknamed themselves "The Power Pack", have opted to stay anonymous, which is allowed under Maryland law. They chose to receive their winnings as a lump sum cash payment of $546.8 million - approximately $366.6 million after taxes are taken out.
Earlier this year, one of the group members bought a Quick Pick ticket from the Coney Market grocery on Lower Georges Creek Road in the small Western Maryland town of Lonaconing in Allegany County, near the West Virginia border.
The ticket matched all six numbers drawn on January 20, 2021, ending the longest jackpot roll ever for the Powerball game - 36 drawings in a row. The white ball numbers were 40, 53, 60, 68 and 69 and the red Powerball was 22.
The prize comprehensively answers the question "Do Powerball Quick Picks ever win?" with a resounding YES!
When the ticket purchaser looked at the numbers after the draw, they were in disbelief at what they saw. Despite checking the ticket about half a dozen times, they told the rest of the group, "This can’t be right, I'm going to work."
The Power Pack told Lottery officials they have no intention of changing their lifestyles; instead they're thinking further ahead, and want to invest their newfound wealth to support their families and communities "for generations to come."
"We are thrilled that the jackpot has been claimed, and we couldn't be happier for the winners," said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Managing Director of Communications Carole Gentry. "The prize generated nearly $49 million in tax revenue for the state, so everyone in Maryland wins."
The win is by far the biggest in Maryland Lottery history; the record was previously held by a $218.6 million share of a $656 million Mega Millions jackpot hit by "The Three Amigos" on March 30, 2012.
The Power Pack's win is the state's third Powerball top prize, and the first since 2011 - a remarkable year when Maryland players hit the game's jackpot twice: $128.8 million won in December 2011 by a ticket bought in Elkton, Cecil County and $108.8 million won in September 2011 by a ticket purchased in Abingdon, Harford County.
Since it started selling tickets in 1973, the Maryland Lottery has paid more than $28.2 billion in prizes and transferred nearly $17.3 billion to the state, contributing to good causes including education, health, and the environment.
The next shot at taking home the Powerball jackpot is Saturday, May 29, with an impressive $253 million top prize.
Don't want to wait that long? Try your luck with Mega Millions on Friday, May 28 - the jackpot is currently $22 million.
Tickets for both draws are available now.
Published: Thursday, May 27, 2021Updated: Thursday, May 27, 2021
