The winning numbers for the record Powerball jackpot were drawn Wednesday night. The numbers are 5, 16, 22, 23, 29 and Powerball 6. The jackpot rose to $579.9 million by the time of the drawing.
The richest Powerball jackpot ever — and the second-largest top prize in U.S. lottery history — has been won. The question now becomes: Who are the lucky winners waking up to new lives as multimillionaires?
Powerball officials said early Thursday morning that tickets sold in Arizona and Missouri matched all six numbers to win the record $579.9 million jackpot.
The numbers drawn Wednesday night are: 5, 16, 22, 23, 29 and Powerball of 6.
It was not clear whether the winning tickets belonged to individuals or were purchased by groups. Arizona lottery officials said early Thursday morning they had no information on that state's winner or winners but would announce where it was sold during a news conference later in the day. Lottery officials in Missouri did not immediately respond to phone messages and emails seeking comment.
Americans went on a ticket-buying spree in the run-up to Wednesday night's drawing, the big money enticing many people who rarely, if ever, play the lottery to purchase a shot at the second-largest payout in U.S. history.
Tickets were selling at a rate of 130,000 a minute nationwide — about six times the volume from a week ago. That pushed the jackpot even higher before the Wednesday night drawing, said Chuck Strutt, executive director of the Multi-State Lottery Association.
A lottery official said late Wednesday that the jackpot increased to $579.9 million by the time of the drawing, making the cash option $379.8 million.
Among those hoping to win was Lamar Fallie, a jobless Chicago man who said his six tickets conjured a pleasant daydream: If he wins, he plans to take care of his church, make big donations to schools and then "retire from being unemployed."
The jackpot had already rolled over 16 consecutive times without a winner. The previous top Powerball prize of $365 million was won in 2006 by ConAgra slaughterhouse workers in Nebraska.
A $656 million Mega Millions jackpot set a world lottery record in March. That prize was split three ways. One of the winning tickets was held by Merle and Patricia Butler of Red Bud in southern Illinois. The retired couple took home nearly $119 million.
Midwest
Hoosier Lottery officials say Indiana retailers sold two tickets that just missed on winning a share of the giant Powerball jackpot.
Lottery officials say those tickets worth $1 million were sold at convenience stores in Vincennes and Highland. Those tickets matched the first five numbers, but not the Powerball number.
Tribune staff and the Associated Press contributed
Winning Powerball tickets sold in Arizona, Missouri
This article
Winning Powerball tickets sold in Arizona, Missouri
can be opened in url
http://theatrenewster.blogspot.com/2012/11/winning-powerball-tickets-sold-in.html
Winning Powerball tickets sold in Arizona, Missouri
