JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — Someone in Michigan won an $842.4 million Powerball jackpot on the first day of 2024, the first time it has been won on New Year's Day since the game began in 1992 .
The winning numbers drawn were: 12, 21, 42, 44, 49 and red Powerball: 1.
Final ticket sales increased the jackpot to $842.4 million at the time of the drawing, beyond its previous estimate of $810 million, making it the fifth-largest Powerball jackpot and the tenth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever won became.
The lucky ticket was sold at the Food Castle grocery store in Grand Blanc Township, near Flint. According to WJRT, Food Castle has been a staple in the community for nearly 40 years.
“Usually you hear something like this in different states,” store owner Bill Nannoshi told the station. “So, it's great. It's great for this community. I mean, Grand Blanc is a great place to work.”
Before the big win on New Year's Eve, the jackpot had been growing since mid-October.
The chance of winning the Powerball jackpot is 1 in 292.2 million.
The lucky ticket holder will have the choice of an annual prize of $842.4 million, payable over 30 years, or a lump sum payment of $425.2 million. Both pricing options are before taxes.
Other top-winning tickets include four tickets sold in California, Connecticut, Florida and Maryland that matched all five white balls to win $1 million in prizes. Two tickets from Florida and Texas yielded all five white balls and won $2 million in prizes by including the Power Play option for an additional $1 per game.
Powerball is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.