An extraordinary announcement has been made by the California Lottery as it unveils the identity of a winner who became a billionaire overnight with last year’s staggering Powerball jackpot. Yanira Alvarez, a local Californian, emerged as the incredibly fortunate winner of the $1.08 billion jackpot in July 2023 following her purchase at Las Palmitas Mini Market situated in the bustling heart of downtown Los Angeles, as confirmed by lottery officials. Marking a historic moment, this win came after an unprecedented series of 39 consecutive draws where no winners were forthcoming.
The tale of opulence didn’t end there for Californians. Another mighty windfall was claimed just three months later. Theodorus Struyck, sharing his newly found fortune with a group, secured a colossal $1.765 billion Powerball jackpot. His lucky ticket was obtained from a retailer nestled in Frazier Park in October 2023, a victory which materialized after the fortune had swollen across 36 successive drawings without a winner.
California seems to have a knack for nurturing jackpot winners. Notably, in the year prior—2022—a record-breaking biggest Powerball jackpot ever, weighing in at an astounding $2.04 billion dollars, was snagged by yet another player from the same state.
Turning our eyes to the present, the upcoming Powerball jackpot, set for Friday night, is teetering on the edge of the billion-dollar mark, boasting a tempting $985 million with a generous $452.3 million cash option. This follows 37 draws in which the grand prize remained out of everyone’s reach.
For those looking to try their luck, purchasing a $2 Powerball ticket is the first step. You’ll have to drop by your local convenience store, gas station, or grocery store. There’s also the option to buy tickets online in a select few states.
Playing the game involves selecting a total of six numbers on your ticket: five white balls with numbers ranging from 1 to 69, and one red Powerball ranging from 1 to 26. If you’re aiming for a better shot at success, you might consider the “Power Play” for an additional dollar, which amplifies the winnings for all prizes other than the jackpot. This can lead to a multiplication of winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X the original amount.
For a more effortless experience, players may request a “Quick Pick” at the counter, where a computer generates random numbers and prints out the Powerball ticket for you.
The anticipation builds three times a week with drawings on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings. Each time there is no jackpot victor, the stakes climb by millions.
Speculation is mounting for the next Powerball drawing scheduled for March 30 at 11 p.m. ET, with an estimated jackpot of $935 million. Should there be a winner following Saturday’s drawing who selects the cash option, they could walk away with $452.3 million.
However, the enchanting prospects come with daunting odds—a mere one in 292.2 million shot for the jackpot, although the odds of winning any Powerball prize are somewhat more favorable at about one in 24.9.
Tickets can be secured in person at a plethora of locations, including gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores, and in a limited number of states, tickets are also sold online. Not to forget, certain airport terminals may dispense lottery tickets as well.
Online purchases are further facilitated by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, available in several U.S. states and territories. The app simplifies the lottery experience from game selection to ticket scanning to prize collection, all from the convenience of your phone or computer.
Lastly, it’s critical to remember the importance of responsible gambling. For those in need of support, there are resources available such as helplines and text services across various states, ensuring that lottery excitement remains a positive and enjoyable activity for all participants.
