Powerball Winning Ticket Grabs $217.2 Million Jackpot

by UInterviewFebruary 8, 2013, 12:00 amNews >

The Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots were both won this week, granting their still unidentified winners a hefty haul of $217.2 million and $19 million, respectively. The winning Powerball ticket was purchased in Richmond, Va., and was a perfect match to the numbers drawn: 5, 27, 36, 38, 41 and a Powerball numbered 12.

It is the largest single Powerball prize since November 2012, when two ticket holders shared an all-time record $588 million jackpot. Should the winner decide to take the cash as opposed to the full annuity, he or she will receive $136.4 million, which appears to be the recent trend as all 70 winners over the last five years have decided to take the cash and run, Philly.com reports.

The winning Mega Millions ticket, purchased in Michigan on Tuesday night, was also a perfect match with drawings of 2, 5, 10, 26, 44 and a 46 Mega Ball. Other big winners on the night included seven other Powerball ticket holders nabbing betweeen $1 million and $2 million, and three other Mega Millions ticket holders winning around $250,000 each.

After the big win, the Powerball Jackpot is back down to $40 million ($25.1 million in cash prizes). Of course, every hopeful lottery winner should know that with the different rules, federal taxes and state taxes, what you think you might be winning is much different than what you actually get. Check out this quick video from Forbes informing you on what a $500 million Powerball jackpot really means for you.

—Hal Sundt