After issues with processing sales caused an overnight delay, officials overseeing a record $2.04bn Powerball jackpot on Tuesday announced the would-be winning numbers for the largest-ever lottery prize in history: 10-33-41-47-56, and the Powerball was 10.
The announcement has now left much of the US waiting to learn whether anyone had bought a winning ticket or if the jackpot would swell to an even greater amount.
The prize is nearly $400m larger than the previous record jackpot. Only four previous Powerball jackpots have topped $1bn, but none of those are close to Tuesday’s potential prize, which started at $20m on 6 August.
Whoever ultimately wins the jackpot can choose to receive the full prize, paid through an annuity over 29 years, or a lump sum of cash paid immediately. Winners more often opt for the lump sum.
All winnings will be subject to federal taxes, reducing the payout by more than one-third. In addition, many states tax lottery winnings, which will eat into the prize as well.
Credit: theguardian.com
