FRAZIER PARK, Calif. (KABC) —
The search for the latest lottery billionaire who purchased their ticket in Southern California continues. This is the third time in the past year that a $1 billion-plus ticket has been sold in the state.
However, identifying the fortunate winner may take some time.
The immense $1.765 billion Powerball jackpot was sold at a liquor store in Kern County on Wednesday.
According to California Lottery officials, the winner has up to a year to come forward and claim the prize. Following that, the lottery’s claim process team will take 6 to 8 weeks to review and confirm the winning ticket.
“The identity of the winner, whether it’s an individual or a group of friends or family members, will remain a mystery until they make themselves known,” stated Carolyn Becker, spokesperson for the California Lottery.
Similarly, the identity of the previous lottery billionaire, whose ticket was also sold in Southern California, remains unknown.
On July 19, a ticket sold in downtown Los Angeles matched all six numbers and won an impressive $1.08 billion. However, the winner has yet to come forward to claim their prize.
Following that drawing, the Powerball jackpot reset to $20 million. It continued to rise until it reached over a billion dollars, marking the second-largest jackpot in U.S. history. The second big winner was sold just about 100 miles away from the previous billion-dollar win.
The store that sold the latest jackpot ticket will receive a $1 million bonus (minus federal taxes) from the lottery.
Co-owner of Midway Market and Liquor, Andy Khalil, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I want to thank the supportive Frazier Park community for choosing our small business. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the lottery team for their dedicated service.”
Khalil plans to use his share of the bonus to contribute to his children’s college funds, acknowledging, “I only receive half of the money, with the other half going to my brother. Ensuring my kids have enough funds for their education is my priority.”
One of the winners from the recent lottery draw has been identified – California public schools. Sales from the jackpot, which began in July, generated approximately $119.5 million for the state’s K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.
The winning numbers for the drawing were 22, 24, 40, 52, 64, and the Powerball was 10.
This week’s jackpot is the second-largest lottery prize globally, having rolled over for 36 consecutive drawings since the last winner on July 19. The current record stands at 41 draws in 2021 and 2022.
The only higher prize in history was the $2.04 billion Powerball won by a player in California last November.
The $1.7 billion jackpot will be awarded to a sole winner who chooses the annuity payment option spread over 30 years. However, most winners opt for the cash option, which is estimated at $774.1 million for Wednesday night’s drawing.
Atlantic Wine and Spirits in Monterey Park also sold a winning ticket – a 5/5 match – worth $760,111.
The Powerball jackpot will now reset to $20 million.
Powerball is played in 45 states, including Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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