Anonymous US person wins S$1.33 billion Powerball lottery with S$2.55 Quick Pick

A person won a US$1.04 billion (S$1.33 billion) Powerball jackpot in the United States from just a US$2 purchase on Aug. 12.

However, they only came forward to claim their prize nearly a month later.

The winner, who wanted to be anonymous, was in disbelief when they found out they had won, the Illinois Lottery said in a Sep. 15 press release.

"I initially didn’t believe I had won, so I called a family member to confirm it," they told the Illinois Lottery officials.

"Even after claiming the prize, I’m still processing the news and experiencing the full range of emotions that come with winning a billion-dollar jackpot — from disbelief and shock to overwhelming elation."

A S$2.55 Quick Pick

The winning ticket was a Quick Pick with a single line of Powerball numbers, bought for US$2 (S$2.55).

It matched all six numbers drawn on Aug. 12, which were 4, 26, 66, 67, 69 and Powerball 9, People reported.

"I never could have imagined that a US$2 purchase would lead to a US$1.04 billion jackpot," the winner said. "This is truly a blessing, and I’m incredibly grateful for this unexpected and extraordinary opportunity."

The Illinois Lottery explained that the winner spent the past several weeks working with professional legal and financial advisors to prepare for the claim.

They also chose to receive the prize money as a lump-sum payment rather than in annual instalments.

A historic drawing

According to the Illinois Lottery, the US$1.04 billion jackpot was the second-largest lottery prize ever won in the U.S. state of Illinois.

It was also the eighth-largest jackpot in Powerball history.

By the organiser's rules, the winner had 12 months from the date of the lottery drawing to claim the prize.

The Chicago prize centre manager of the Illinois Lottery described the jackpot win as "truly extraordinary".

"It was exciting to finally see this historic prize claimed after nearly a month of anticipation," she added.

The retailer that sold the winning ticket, a Hy-Vee grocery store outlet, will receive a US$500,000 (S$638,000) cash bonus.