ialottery blog

One Year Ago: Iowa’s Largest Powerball Jackpot Winner

Here at the lottery, we’re always looking ahead in our quest to deliver fun and exciting games for you, while responsibly raising revenue for the state of Iowa.

But every once in a while it’s fun to look back at where we’ve been, and a year ago at this time, we were having a lot of fun! This Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of Iowa’s biggest Powerball winner.

Lerynne West of Redfield won a $343.9 million jackpot prize in the Oct. 27, 2018, Powerball drawing, splitting the prize with a ticket purchased in New York. Lerynne, who became Iowa’s ninth Powerball jackpot winner, purchased her winning ticket at Casey’s, 425 Second St. in Redfield, a Dallas County community of about 830.

Nine days later, we had a lot of fun celebrating with her and her family when she came in to claim her prize. We were also touched by her desire to use her winnings to make a difference for others.

As we’ve mentioned before, we love hearing from you. So, tell us: Are you aiming for a Mega Millions, Powerball or Lotto America jackpot this weekend? And what would you do if you won?

 

Settlement Website, Phone Number Announced For Claims In Jackpot Lawsuit

A website and toll-free telephone number are now live for U.S. lottery players to contact if they think they can make a claim in a settlement stemming from a class-action lawsuit.

The settlement will allow refunds for the cost of tickets purchased in a small set of lottery drawings held from November 2005 to May 2013 in certain games, including the Hot Lotto game.

The only way that players can make a claim as part of the settlement is by going to the website at www.LotteryGameSettlement.com or calling 1-877-872-3816.

The claims process will run for 120 days, through Jan. 7, 2020. Players who don’t submit their claim forms by the deadline will be excluded and won’t be part of the settlement.

The claim form that players will need to file is available on the settlement website and can be completed online or downloaded. Players who download the form will need to fill it out and follow instructions to send it to a company that will review the claims. 

The $4.3 million settlement in the case of Culler et al vs. the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) will provide refunds to those with nonwinning lottery tickets linked to the lottery fraud case that centered on Eddie Tipton, an Iowa man who worked for years in information-security at MUSL.

The Iowa Lottery was not a party to the lawsuit, but the events of this week give us another chance to look back and take pride in the work we did along with that of other Iowa officials who led the investigation. That effort ultimately led to this point where there can be a settlement for affected players.

Please note that the Iowa Lottery is not involved in the settlement process and can’t help review, process or validate any player claims. Players who want to make a claim need to visit the settlement website or call the toll-free telephone number.

Once the claims process is completed, the court will review the settlement agreement again and make a final determination about the process that will follow.

The long-running lottery jackpot investigation case culminated in 2017 with guilty pleas from three men who admitted they illegally claimed prizes by rigging lottery drawings in five states. Eddie Tipton, the man at the center of the investigation, worked at MUSL, an organization within the lottery industry, and installed malicious computer code that allowed him to predict winning numbers in some lottery drawings.

Tipton ultimately pleaded guilty to three felony charges in Iowa and Wisconsin and was sentenced in August 2017 to up to 25 years in prison. He admitted that he conspired with friends and family to claim lottery prizes in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. He also tried to claim a jackpot in Iowa, but it was not paid after the Iowa Lottery’s security questions went unanswered. 

Tipton’s younger brother, Tommy Tipton, also pleaded guilty in the case, as did Tipton’s long-time friend, Robert Rhodes.

Burlington resident Dale Culler filed a lawsuit naming MUSL in connection with the rigged games. A Polk County District Court judge granted Culler's request to seek damages on behalf of other lottery players in a class-action suit.

34 Years In The Making: Iowa Lottery Sets Records

The Iowa Lottery has just posted the best annual results in its 34-year history.

Lottery sales, proceeds to state causes, prizes to players, and retail commissions all set records in fiscal year 2019, which ended June 30. We think the results deliver on our promise to responsibly raise revenues for the state causes that are important to us all.

Click on the video above to see our thank-you message to our players, our retailers, and really, anyone who has an interest in the Iowa Lottery.

Our preliminary figures out today show that the Iowa Lottery generated a record $92.8 million in proceeds to state causes in FY 2019. Annual lottery sales were a record $390.9 million, while prizes to players totaled a record $241.9 million. Lottery sales commissions to the local businesses across Iowa that sell our tickets totaled $25.4 million, also a record.

Scratch games have always been the lottery's leading product category and led the way again in FY 2019, with those games accounting for a record $250.6 million in sales in Iowa. 

The lottery retailer with the most sales in Iowa was again the Hy-Vee store at 20 Wilson Ave. in Cedar Rapids. That location has been the No. 1 lottery retailer in Iowa for five straight years, and it sold nearly $950,000 in lottery tickets in FY 2019.

The largest prize won by an Iowa Lottery player in FY 2019 was a $343.9 million Powerball jackpot, and six other prizes of at least $1 million also were won in the state during the year. 

Player Mail: What Happened With The Lotto America Jackpot?

In the past month, several players have asked us about the Lotto America® jackpot – and specifically, how it could grow so long without being won. Well, all that has changed! And it goes to show something you’ve heard us say many times: You just never know when the next big winner will hit!

Wednesday’s $21.6 million Lotto America jackpot was won in that night’s drawing by someone who bought a ticket in Minnesota. The Minnesota Lottery says the lucky ticket was purchased at a convenience store in Ramsey, Minn., a suburb of the Twin Cities. The game’s jackpot had been growing since May 2018, when it was won in Iowa. Chuck Anderson of Davenport claimed that $4.38 million jackpot.

Lotto America debuted in November 2017, and its jackpot has been won three times so far. A brother and sister from Badger, Minn., split the first jackpot won in the game, a $22.8 million prize in March 2018.

So, why the long gap between jackpot wins this time around? Lotto America is played in 13 states, as opposed to Powerball®, which is sold by 47 lotteries, and Mega Millions®, which is sold by 46 lotteries. It’s designed to have a smaller jackpot than those larger games, which means that overall, fewer people are playing it.

There was a long run between Lotto America jackpot wins this time, but as the game’s 2018 winners show, that won’t always be the case! The game's jackpot has returned to its starting amount of $2 million annuity, $1.32 million lump-sum option, for tomorrow night’s drawing. 

July 15 update: The Minnesota Lottery has now released the details about the Minnesota man who claimed the Lotto America jackpot from last Wednesday's drawing. Jeffery Love and his wife, Vickie, of Elk River, Minn., both called into work Friday and said they'd need the day off because they had a huge prize to claim! Click here to see to their story.

A Little Piggy With Lottery Luck!

This story speaks to all things Iowa, and it’s too good not to share! The main characters are a kind-hearted Iowa Lottery employee and a tiny little piglet now named Tot.

Last week, my co-worker Andrea McNamara was driving home after work at lottery headquarters in Clive when rush-hour traffic on the interstate came to a stop. She saw cars in front of her swerving into other lanes like they were trying to avoid hitting something. A few moments later, Andrea could see a tiny piglet in the road.

Andrea said the piglet was just frozen in place and with traffic at a standstill, she thought she could safely reach the frightened animal. Andrea said she got out of her car, scooped up the piglet, and took her to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, an animal shelter in Des Moines.

Staff at the ARL examined the piglet and said that although she had a little road rash, she was otherwise in good shape.

The ARL has a special barnyard section for rescued farm animals, and the piglet was welcomed there where she’ll receive care before being made available for adoption. The ARL has a foster dog named Tater, so volunteers there named the piglet Tot.

In my lottery opinion, this little piggy hit the jackpot!

All Those Awesome ‘Bucket List’ Answers

We’ve had a question posted on social media for the past couple days, asking folks what they’d cross off their bucket list if they won tonight’s Powerball jackpot (estimated $750 million annuity, $465.5 million lump-sum option). The answers have been off-the-charts awesome!

A woman named Angie just replied with a GIF of an airplane flying all around the world. A woman named Mindy said she would go to see every volcano in the world. A guy named Chris said he’d immediately donate at least $250K to his favorite charity. A woman named Jaci said she’d take a “long, long, long sandy vacation.”

The answers just kept getting better:

Linda said she’d buy her town a new water tower with the community’s name on it and use her winnings to save the bees. Brandon said he’d use his winnings to buy land so he could make his own neighborhood for his family. Brian said he’d just enjoy being worry free about finances.

Heidi said she’d help stray animals. Jamilynn said she’d buy a huge building and turn it into a homeless shelter while also paying for college for her own children and nieces and nephews. Rick said he’d do whatever he wanted. Christian is looking forward to a flying Ironman suit and a personal space shuttle. 

As always, Iowans’ generosity came through in their answers, with person after person saying they’d help family and friends, charity, their church and their community.

One of the most creative answers I saw was from a man named Scott, who applied a little psychology to the situation: If he wins the Powerball jackpot tonight, he says he’ll be able to cross winning the lottery off his bucket list. Well played, Scott. Well played!

Quad-Cities Man Claims $1 Million Prize He Won In Central Iowa

A Quad-Cities man has a very specific purchase in mind now that he’s claimed a $1 million Mega Millions prize: He plans to search the Internet for a 1972 Ford Mustang fastback.

Danny Lovett said it’s a car he’s always wanted since he was a kid – and now he can have one.

Lovett, 60, of East Moline, Ill., claimed his $1 million prize on Monday at Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive. He’d won big in the Mega Millions drawing on Jan. 15, but said he didn’t check his ticket until a few days later. Then with the frigid winter temperatures that Iowa and the rest of the Midwest have faced over the past couple weeks, Lovett said he waited until the weather improved a bit before heading to the lottery to claim his prize.

He recalled looking at his ticket and realizing he’d matched the first five numbers in the Mega Millions drawing. He said he counted and he counted again and thought, “There’s no way!” But once he got his prize check at the lottery, he said things were becoming more real.  
 
Lovett said he plans to use his winnings to buy a house, put a big chunk away for retirement, help his family – and buy that car.

Lovett drives a truck route from Davenport to Des Moines. He said that the Kum & Go store at 1200 N. Walnut St. in Colfax is a regular stop for him during his drive, and while he’s buying coffee and a snack, he usually buys a lottery ticket, too.

Lovett’s ticket was one of two in the country to win a $1 million prize in the Jan. 15 Mega Millions drawing. The other was purchased in California. Lovett came within one number of having at least a share of that night’s $55 million jackpot, matching the first five numbers but missing the Mega Ball. No one matched all six numbers to win the jackpot that night, so the big prize continued to climb.

The Jan. 15 winning numbers were: 29-52-58-60-62 and Mega Ball 7. The Megaplier® number was 2.

Kum & Go received a $1,000 bonus from the Iowa Lottery for selling the $1 million-winning ticket at one of its stores.

Lovett’s ticket was the second purchased at the Colfax store to win a $1 million prize in about a year. George Dickerson of Colfax claimed a $1 million Powerball® prize in January 2018 with a ticket he bought at that same Kum & Go store. He said at the time that freezing weather almost made him stay home, but he decided to brave the cold and went out to buy tickets just a few minutes before the sales cut-off time for the Powerball drawing on Dec. 30, 2017. And it turned out to be a very lucky New Year’s weekend for him!  

Big Jackpot On The Line For Christmas!

Dec. 26 update: As we now know, Mega Millions has gone five for five with no jackpot winners in its drawings that have been held on Christmas Day. Nobody won the jackpot in last night’s drawing, so the Mega Millions top prize has climbed to an estimated $348 million annuity, $210.2 million cash option for Friday’s drawing. The next time there will be a Mega Millions drawing on Christmas will be in 2020, when Dec. 25 is on a Friday. But in 2019, Dec. 25 will be on a Wednesday, so next year there will be a Powerball drawing for Christmas! 

Jackpot drawings in our lotto games are held come rain or come shine – or as is the case tomorrow, come the Christmas holiday. And a BIG jackpot will be on the line this Christmas: the Mega Millions® jackpot has reached an estimated $321 million annuity, $193.7 million lump-sum option, for tomorrow night’s drawing.

This is just the fourth time that a Mega Millions drawing has been held on Christmas since the game’s start in 2002. (The last time was in 2015.) But so far, no one has actually won a Mega Millions jackpot on Christmas.

The game’s jackpot has been growing since it was last won in the drawing on Oct. 23. You may remember that big prize: that night’s jackpot of $1.54 billion was won with a single ticket purchased in South Carolina. The winner has not yet claimed the prize.

So, has Iowa ever seen a jackpot winner on Christmas? Our state’s very first Powerball® jackpot winner came close: Ed Brown of Washington split a $10.4 million jackpot with a Missouri woman in the Powerball drawing on Dec. 23, 1992.

And ten years later, a western Iowa man won a Hot Lotto jackpot in that game’s drawing on Christmas Day 2002. Don Sporrer of Denison waited a few weeks  before claiming his $2.7 million prize in January 2003. He said he knew the whole time that he had the winning ticket  and he had fun listening to local speculation about the identity of the winner!

Iowa Powerball Winner Will Be On "Ellen Show" Today

Our newest Powerball jackpot winner will be on "Ellen" today!

The Ellen DeGeneres Show has posted its first look at Lerynne West on the show today, so click here to see the details.

On the show, Lerynne announces that The Callum Foundation, the charitable organization she established in memory of her late grandson, will donate $500,000 to the Travis Mills Foundation in honor of her father, a veteran.

Casey’s Donates Lottery Jackpot Bonus To Central-Iowa Organizations

We braved the cold this morning to share more good news in central Iowa: Casey’s General Stores is donating its jackpot bonus to three civic organizations. And, we’re spreading the fun even further with some bonus prizes for all addresses in the Redfield zip code.

When the lottery announced a couple weeks ago that a ticket purchased in Redfield had won a share of the Oct. 27 Powerball jackpot, we also announced that Casey’s would receive a $10,000 bonus from the lottery for selling the jackpot-winning ticket at one of its stores.

So this morning outside the Redfield Casey’s store, we presented Casey’s with a ceremonial check for $10,000, and Casey’s in turn identified the three local organizations among which it will split the bonus money. The Redfield EMS and Redfield Fire Departments will each get a $2,500 donation from Casey’s, while the local high school, West Central Valley High School in Stuart, will get a $5,000 donation from Casey’s.

Redfield Mayor Dustin Lantz said that his whole community has been buzzing about the jackpot win, and it’s gratifying to see that the situation is already making a local difference. He said that having a jackpot winner is definitely a boost for a small town.

To celebrate the excitement with the whole community, Casey’s and the Iowa Lottery in the next couple weeks will mail bonus prizes to all addresses with a Redfield zip code. Inside will be two free coupons: one for a free Casey’s pizza, valid only at the Redfield Casey’s; and the other for a free, easy-pick Powerball play.

It’s our way of saying thank you as the national spotlight shines on Redfield and the state of Iowa.

Mayor Lantz got in the spirit today, challenging New York Mayor Bill de Blasio to do something equally fun for those in the 10027 zip code where the other jackpot-winning ticket was purchased for the Oct. 27 Powerball drawing. Lantz said it’s amazing to see the good that is happening in his community because of the jackpot win.

The Redfield and New York tickets split the Oct. 27 jackpot, with each receiving $343.9 million annuity, or $198.1 million lump-sum option.

Central Iowa Woman Claims $343.9 Million Powerball Jackpot

Lerynne West truly has inspired us all in claiming her Powerball jackpot and announcing plans to make a difference for others.   

The central-Iowa woman stood at the podium today at lottery headquarters in Clive and said she knows she’s had a life-changing moment. She said she’s excited to share her winnings with family and friends, to purchase a new car, and to take a long vacation -- or several.

The 51-year-old Redfield woman and her family also have established a charitable foundation to help causes important to them. The Callum Foundation is named after West’s grandson, Callum, who was born prematurely in April and lived just a day. The charitable foundation (www.callumfoundation.org) will be focused on making grants in the core areas of alleviating poverty and hunger; education; animal welfare; and veteran’s affairs.

West said that once it is fully established, the Callum Foundation will begin accepting requests for help in 2019.

She said that she and her three daughters daydreamed for years about winning the lottery, and the plans they ultimately put together are a result of all that dreaming.

West’s ticket split the Powerball jackpot in the Oct. 27 drawing with a ticket purchased in New York City. Her half of the jackpot – the third-largest prize in the 26-year history of the game – is $343.9 million annuity, or $198.1 million lump-sum option. The New York ticket has yet to be claimed.

West bought her jackpot-winning ticket at Casey’s, 425 Second St. in Redfield, a Dallas County community of about 830, where she recently bought a house. She was moving into her new home on Oct. 26 and she and her sister stopped at Casey’s for pizza and coffee. While they were there, West bought an easy-pick Powerball ticket. And the rest, as they say, is history.

West is Iowa’s ninth Powerball jackpot winner.

Prize Details

Annuity
Payments Totaling:  $343.9 million
The annuity total would be paid in 30 graduated payments over 29 years. Federal withholding of 24 percent and state withholding of 5 percent would be applied to each payment.

Chosen To Receive As Lump-Sum Option
Prize:                            $198.1 million
Federal Withholding:    $47.5 million (24 percent)
State Withholding:        $9.9 million (5 percent)
After-tax prize:              $140.6 million

 

No Word From Iowa Jackpot Winner Yet & Other Latest Details

Iowa’s latest Powerball jackpot winner is the talk of the entire state even though we don’t know who they are yet! With so much talk going on, here are the latest factoids from us at the Iowa Lottery:

You’ve likely already heard by now that a ticket purchased in Redfield, a Dallas County community of about 830 west of Des Moines, split Saturday’s giant Powerball jackpot with a ticket purchased in New York. Iowa’s half of the grand prize breaks down to $343.9 million annuity, or $198.1 million lump-sum option, before taxes.

The Redfield ticket was one of 33,536 Powerball plays in Iowa that won prizes in Saturday’s drawing. Those prizes ranged from $4 up to the jackpot!  We at the lottery remind our players to check their tickets for any prize they may have won, not just the jackpot. There are nine prize levels in the Powerball game, and your ticket may have won at one of the other levels, even if you didn’t win the jackpot.

People have asked us which is better: lump-sum vs. annuity. And it truly is up to the winner involved – they get to choose. That’s why we always suggest that our winners consult with a trusted financial advisor or lawyer to make plans for their winnings before they step forward to claim the prize.

What do the two options look like for this jackpot?

If the winner chooses the annuity option, they’ll receive 30 payments over 29 years. The money on hand from the sale of tickets for the jackpot plus the interest that would be earned over all those years adds up to $343.9 million. The payments to the winner would increase over time to accommodate for inflation. The first payment would be about $5.2 million, while the 30th and final payment would be about $21.3 million. The first annuitized payment would be made when the prize was claimed, and the other payments would then be made each October, the anniversary date of the jackpot being won. Withholding would apply to each payment made, with a current federal rate of 24 percent and state rate of 5 percent.

If the winner chooses the lump-sum option, they’ll receive a one-time payment of $198.1 million before taxes. Federal withholding of 24 percent ($47.5 million) would automatically apply to that total, along with state withholding 5 percent ($9.9 million). The lottery would make an after-tax payment of $140.6 million to the winner by wire transfer.

Iowa Lottery players bought nearly $1.9 million in Powerball plays for Saturday’s drawing. Nearly all of them (91 percent) were easy picks, meaning the player let the lottery terminal randomly select the numbers printed on the ticket. 
 
We had fun today prepping for our winner to come see us at lottery headquarters in Clive. We made a “money brick road” that the winner can follow in our auditorium as they make their way to the stage. Hey, this kind of thing likely only happens once in a person’s life, and we want the winner's jackpot claim to be a fun and memorable day! (P.S. The road is not made of real money.)

Snapshot Of Jackpot-Winning News In A Small Town

 

Here’s a look at our visit today to Redfield, where we made the announcement that a ticket purchased in the Dallas County community of 835 split Saturday’s giant Powerball jackpot with a ticket in New York.   

Staffers and customers at the Casey’s store in Redfield are VERY excited about the big news. And now we wait to see who the winner will be!

Ticket In Central Iowa Community Of Redfield Wins Share Of Powerball® Jackpot

 
A ticket purchased in the central Iowa community of Redfield split last night’s giant Powerball jackpot with a ticket in New York. It is the largest lottery prize ever won in Iowa and is one of the largest lottery prizes ever offered in the world.

Iowa’s jackpot-winning ticket was purchased at Casey’s, 425 Second St. in Redfield, a community of about 830 west of Des Moines. Along with the New York ticket, the lucky Redfield ticket split last night’s Powerball jackpot of an estimated $687.8 million annuity, or $396.2 million lump-sum option.

Iowa has now had nine Powerball jackpot winners.

Even we at the lottery are a bit awestruck at times like this. It goes to show what we’ve said so many times: You just never know when the next big winner will hit. And, this is definitely the time to double-check your lottery tickets!

The Iowa and New York jackpot-winning tickets both matched all six numbers selected in last night’s Powerball drawing to split the grand prize. Last night’s winning numbers were: 8-12-13-19-27 and Powerball 4. The Power Play number was 3.

Casey’s will receive a $10,000 bonus from the Iowa Lottery for selling the jackpot winning ticket at one of its stores.

Powerball jackpot winners can choose to receive their prizes in annuitized payments over time or as a one-time, lump-sum payment. The New York and Iowa winners do not have to choose the same option, as each will receive half of last night’s jackpot, which breaks down to $343.9 million annuity, or $198.1 million lump-sum option for each.

If the winner(s) choose the annuity option, it will be made in 30 payments over 29 years, with the annual payment increasing over time to accommodate for inflation. If the winner(s) choose the lump-sum option, that amount in Iowa will be made by a wire transfer. 

Here are a few key reminders for the Iowa winner(s) as they prepare to claim the prize:
1. Sign the ticket if you’ve not already done that. Taking that step identifies the ticket and the prize involved as belonging to you.
2. Keep the winning ticket in a secure place until you present it to claim the prize. The ticket is required for the prize to be paid. 
3. Consult with a trusted financial planner or legal advisor before coming forward to claim the prize. This is a life-changing amount of money and we want our winners to have the information they need as they make decisions about handling their winnings. 
  
We’re also giving a general reminder that under Iowa law, information concerning lottery winners is public. The Iowa Lottery is required to release the details about who won this prize and we’ll work with our winners to ensure that is done.

Jackpot prizes in Iowa must be claimed at Iowa Lottery headquarters at 13001 University Ave. in Clive. If the winner or winners have questions before claiming the prize, they’re welcome to contact the lottery at 515-725-7900.

Here are the prize and withholding details for Iowa’s share of last night’s Powerball jackpot:

Annuity Option
Payments Totaling:  $343.9 million
The annuity total would be paid in 30 graduated payments over 29 years. Federal withholding of 24 percent and state withholding of 5 percent would apply to each payment.

Lump-Sum Option
Prize:                            $198.1 million
Federal Withholding:    $47.5 million (24 percent)
State Withholding:        $9.9 million (5 percent)
After-tax prize:              $140.6 million

Last Night’s Giant Powerball Jackpot Split By Tickets In Iowa, New York

Last night’s giant Powerball jackpot, the third-largest prize in the history of the game, was split by two tickets in Iowa and New York. It’s the largest lottery prize ever won in Iowa and one of the largest lottery prizes ever offered in the world.
 
The Iowa Lottery will hold a news conference at 10:30 a.m. today at the central Iowa store where the winning ticket was purchased. The lottery will provide further details later this morning about the event.

The winning tickets in Iowa and New York split last night’s Powerball jackpot of an estimated $687.8 million annuity, or $396.2 million lump-sum option.

It's Iowa’s ninth Powerball jackpot winner in the history of the game.

The two jackpot-winning tickets matched all six numbers selected in last night’s Powerball drawing to split the grand prize. Last night’s winning numbers were: 8-12-13-19-27 and Powerball 4. The Power Play number was 3.
 
Powerball jackpot winners can choose to receive their prizes in annuitized payments over time or as a one-time, lump-sum payment. The New York and Iowa winners do not have to choose the same option, as each will receive half of last night’s jackpot. That breaks down to $343.9 million annuity, or $198.1 million lump-sum option, for each.

If the winner(s) choose the annuity option for the jackpot, it will be made in 30 payments over 29 years, with the annual payment increasing over time to accomodate for inflation. If the winner(s) choose the lump-sum option, that amount in Iowa will be made in one wire transfer.
 
The Iowa Lottery stresses a few key points for its jackpot winner(s) as they prepare to claim the prize:

1. Sign the ticket if you have not already done so. That identifies the ticket and the prize involved as belonging to you.
2. Keep the winning ticket in a secure place until presenting it to claim the prize. The ticket is required for the prize to be paid. 
3. Consult with a trusted financial planner or legal advisor before coming forward to claim the prize. This is a life-changing amount of money and the lottery wants its winners to have the information they need as they make their decisions.   

We also give a general reminder that under Iowa law, information concerning lottery winners is public. The lottery is required to release the details about who won this prize and will work with its winner(s) to ensure that is done.

Iowa’s eight previous Powerball jackpot winners are:

• Brian and Mary Lohse of Bondurant, who won a $202.1 million Powerball jackpot in September 2012.
• The Shipping 20, a group of co-workers in the shipping department at the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, who split a $241 million jackpot in June 2012. That was the largest lottery prize won in Iowa until today's news.
• Tim and Kellie Guderian of Fort Dodge, who claimed a $200.8 million jackpot in October 2006. 
• Hugh Hawkins of Des Moines, who won a $113.2 million jackpot in December 2005. 
• Jacquelyn Moore of Omaha, Neb., who won a $14.4 million jackpot in October 2004 (she bought her ticket at a convenience store in Carter Lake in western Iowa).
• The Larry Hasken family of Sabula, who claimed a $31.8 million jackpot in January 2000.
• Tim Schultz of Des Moines, who won a $28 million jackpot in February 1999.
• Ed Brown of Washington, who split a $10.4 million jackpot with a Missouri woman in December 1992.

Jackpot prizes in Iowa need to be claimed at Iowa Lottery headquarters at 13001 University Ave. in Clive. If the winner or winners have questions before claiming the prize, they’re welcome to contact the lottery at 515-725-7900.

Prize and withholding details for Iowa's share of the jackpot:

Annuity
Payments Totaling:  $343.9 million
The annuity total would be paid in 30 graduated payments over 29 years. Federal withholding of 24 percent and state withholding of 5 percent would be made on each payment.

Lump-Sum Option
Prize:                          $198.1 million
Federal Withholding:  $47.6 million (24 percent)
State Withholding:      $9.9 million (5 percent)
After-tax prize:            $140.6 million

Powerball Jackpot Climbs To Estimated $750 Million For Saturday

We’re apparently not done with this jackpot hub-bub just yet!

 

Even though the huge Mega Millions jackpot was won in Tuesday’s drawing, Powerball’s top prize continues to climb, and it also has reached an eye-popping level: It’s an estimated $750 million annuity, or $428.6 million lump-sum option, for Saturday.

 

The Powerball jackpot is now the fourth-largest lottery prize ever offered in the United States and the third-largest in the history of the game.

 

The winning numbers in last night’s $602.5 million Powerball drawing were: 3-21-45-53-56 and Powerball 22. The Power Play number was 2.

 

A total of 43,097 plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players won prizes in last night’s drawing, and the other trends we have seen from other recent drawings continued to hold true. Nearly all of the plays purchased in Iowa for last night’s Powerball drawing were easy picks (91.5 percent to be exact), meaning that players let the lottery terminal randomly pick the numbers on their tickets.

 

And what about that ‘coverage’ issue you’ve heard us talking about? The odds of winning the jackpot in Powerball are about 1 in 292.2 million because that’s how many different ways you can combine the numbers available in the game to make a play. By looking at nationwide sales, lottery officials can estimate how many of all the possible combinations have been purchased for a particular drawing. About 36 percent of all the possible combinations were purchased for last night’s drawing.

The First Of Our Biggest Winners From Last Night Claims Her Prize

The first of Iowa’s biggest winners from last night’s Mega Millions drawing has claimed her prize.

Dana Derby of Marion claimed her $10,000 prize this afternoon at the lottery’s Cedar Rapids office. She said she stopped today at a local supermarket and decided to check her ticket while she was there without even realizing she might have won a big prize. The clerk scanned her ticket and told her she’d won $10,000.

Dana says she couldn’t believe her ears, but she is “over the moon” about winning $10,000. She took a little time off from the bank in Marion where she works so she could claim her prize, but she planned to be back at work later this afternoon.

Dana said she decided to buy two tickets for last night’s giant Mega Millions jackpot drawing after her son who lives in Colorado sent her a text showing the line he was waiting in there to buy tickets. She said that without his picture as a reminder, she might have spaced off getting a ticket. She hopes her lottery luck isn’t over yet, because she also has a ticket for tonight’s Powerball drawing, with a jackpot of an estimated $620 million annuity, or $354.3 million lump-sum option. That’s the third-largest prize in the history of the Powerball game and the sixth-largest lottery prize ever offered in the United States.

Dana said she’s thinking about using her Mega Millions winnings to screen in the deck at her home so she can spend more time outside.

Dana’s ticket was one of four that were just one number away from winning a share of last night’s huge Mega Millions jackpot. She bought her ticket at Kum & Go, 3215 Seventh Ave. in Marion. The other three tickets, including one purchased in Davenport that won a $1 million prize, are still unclaimed.

Latest Details: $1 Million Prize Won In Davenport, 3 Other IA Tickets Win $10,000

Four tickets in Iowa were just one number away from having a share of last night’s giant Mega Millions jackpot. One of those tickets, purchased by a lucky player in Davenport, won a $1 million prize, while the other three tickets won prizes of $10,000 each. In all, Iowa Lottery players won more than 106,000 prizes in the drawing, while last night’s jackpot was won in South Carolina.

JACKPOT AMOUNT & WINNING NUMBERS

The final figure for last night’s jackpot – $1.54 billion annuity, or $877.8 million lump-sum option – came in just under the latest estimates heading into the drawing and finished just shy of a world record. Jackpot estimates are based on historical patterns but there were few precedents for a jackpot at this level, so forecasting exact numbers in advance can be difficult. Last night’s jackpot is the world’s largest lottery prize won by a single ticket, and it’s South Carolina’s first Mega Millions jackpot win.

The winning numbers in last night’s Mega Millions drawing were: 5-28-62-65-70 and Mega Ball 5. The Megaplier number was 3.

The world record for a lottery prize is still the Powerball jackpot of nearly $1.59 billion that was split in January 2016 by winners in California, Florida and Tennessee.
 
IOWA’S WINNERS 

A Mega Millions ticket purchased at Hy-Vee Gas, 3850 Elmore Ave. in Davenport, won a $1 million prize in last night’s drawing by matching the first five numbers but missing the Mega Ball. Three Iowa tickets matched four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball to win prizes of $10,000 each. They were purchased at stores in three different communities: Tobacco Outlet Plus, 204 S. Duff Ave. in Ames; Hy-Vee, 910 N. Jefferson Way in Indianola; and Kum & Go, 3215 Seventh Ave. in Marion.

The $1 million prize has to be claimed at Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive, while the $10,000 prizes can be claimed at any of the lottery’s five regional offices. If the winners have questions before claiming their prizes, they’re welcome to call us at the lottery at 515-725-7900.

Hy-Vee will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Iowa Lottery for selling the $1 million-winning ticket at one of its stores.

The Davenport ticket was one of 36 across the country that matched the first five numbers but missed the Mega Ball to win at the game’s second prize level last night.
          
A total of 106,564 plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players won prizes last night ranging from $2 up to $1 million.

EARLY DETAILS OF TONIGHT’S MEGA MILLIONS RESULTS IN IOWA

The early details show that Iowa Lottery players won more than 106,000 prizes in tonight’s world-record Mega Millions jackpot drawing and ticket sales in the game set a daily record in the lead-up to the drawing.

The winning numbers in tonight’s drawing were: 5-28-62-65-70 and Mega Ball 5. The Megaplier number was 3. Tonight’s jackpot was a world-record $1.6 billion annuity, or $913.7 million lump-sum option. Full details about the drawing results, including the locations where big-winning tickets were purchased in Iowa and whether there was a jackpot winner or winners nationwide, will be available tomorrow.
 
A total of 106,564 plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players won prizes tonight ranging from $2 up to $1 million. Four tickets purchased in Iowa came within one number of having at least a share of the jackpot. One of those tickets won a $1 million prize by matching the first five numbers but missing the Mega Ball. The other three tickets matched four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball to win prizes of $10,000 each.
 
Iowa Lottery players bought more than $5.6 million in Mega Millions tickets for tonight’s drawing, including nearly $3.3 million in tickets today alone. That’s a single-day sales record for the game. Today’s sales total surpassed the previous daily sales record for Mega Millions of nearly $3.2 million, which was set on March 30, 2012. 

During today’s busiest stretch from about 5-6 p.m., Mega Millions tickets sold at more than $7,000 per minute in Iowa. But the average Iowa Mega Millions purchase today remained about $6, or three plays per ticket. We’re glad to see that our players had fun and didn’t go overboard.
 
So, how do today’s sales figures compare to those four days ago for Friday’s drawing, when the game’s jackpot was an estimated $1 billion? Iowa Lottery players bought more than $4 million in Mega Millions tickets for Friday’s drawing, including more than $2.8 million in tickets that day alone. So, the Iowa sales total for tonight’s world-record Mega Millions drawing was nearly 40 percent higher than that for Friday’s drawing.
 
The odds of winning the jackpot in Mega Millions are about 1 in 302.6 million because there are about 302.6 million ways you can combine the numbers in the game to make a play. By tracking nationwide sales, lottery officials can estimate how many of all the possible combinations have been purchased for a particular drawing. About 75 percent of all the possible combinations were purchased for tonight’s drawing.

More than 93 percent of all the plays purchased in Iowa for tonight’s drawing were easy picks, meaning that the players let the lottery terminal randomly pick the numbers on their tickets.

Current Snapshot From The Field Amid This Jackpot Fever

Lottery retailers across the state are having to order more paper for their lottery terminals and self-service kiosks so they can keep up with the demand for tickets in Mega Millions and Powerball this week. We’re working with our vendors to fulfill the orders, because a lot of paper certainly is moving through lottery equipment right now!
  
With the jackpots continuing to climb and changing almost daily, the lottery and its retailers are often improvising with hand-written signs at sales counters to show customers the latest jackpot amounts. In the case of Mega Millions, the word “million” is simply being marked out and the word “billion” is being written in. It’s all about adjusting in real time!

But there are some neon lottery jackpot signs here in Iowa that will continue to display a Mega Millions jackpot amount of $999 million until the current world-record prize is won and the jackpot resets to its starting amount of $40 million for the next drawing. The digital signs are in about 700 of the lottery’s 2,400 retail locations, and display the jackpots in Powerball and Mega Millions, but they’re only designed for amounts of up to $999 million. We’re into new territory with this world record, and the situation with the signs just emphasizes the “uncharted” quality of it all!

A NOTE ABOUT ‘COVERAGE’

The odds of winning the jackpot in Mega Millions are about 1 in 302.6 million because there are about 302.6 million ways you can combine the numbers in the game to make a play. By tracking sales, lottery officials can estimate how many of the possible combinations have been purchased for a particular drawing. It’s estimated that about 75 percent of all the possible combinations will be purchased for tonight’s world-record Mega Millions drawing.

And in Powerball, it’s estimated that about 38 percent of all the possible combinations in that game will be purchased for tomorrow night’s drawing.

Iowa Jackpot Winners On The 'Today' Show This Morning

 

Proud Iowa moment today! Thank you to Brian and Mary Lohse for showing the nation the difference they have made in their hometown of Bondurant, and that winning a lottery jackpot can allow you to do incredibly good things. The Lohses were on the "Today" show this morning. Click here to see the video!

Wrap-Up On Both Big Weekend Drawings

The jackpots in Powerball and Mega Millions both continue to climb into the stratosphere, with Mega Millions now at a world record and Powerball’s top prize the third largest ever offered in that game. With strong sales across the country, it’s likely that both prizes with climb even higher before their next drawings this week.

LAST NIGHT’S POWERBALL RESULTS

No one won the jackpot in last night’s Powerball drawing, pushing the game’s big prize to an estimated $620 million annuity, or $354.3 million lump-sum option for Wednesday. That ranks No. 3 on the list of the biggest jackpots in Powerball and No. 6 among the largest lottery jackpots in the United States.
 
The winning numbers in last night’s $476.7 million Powerball jackpot drawing were: 16-54-57-62-69 and Powerball 23. The Power Play number was 2.
 
A total of 32,359 plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players won prizes ranging from $4 up to $50,000. Two tickets purchased in Iowa were just one number away from having at least a share of last night’s jackpot, matching four of the first five numbers and the Powerball to win prizes of $50,000 each. They were purchased at: Kwik Star, 201 Greenwood Ave. in Nashua, and Casey’s, 701 32nd Ave. in Council Bluffs.
  
Iowa Lottery players bought nearly $1.9 million in Powerball tickets for last night’s drawing, including nearly $650,000 in tickets yesterday alone. However, the average Iowa Powerball purchase for the day remained about $5, or two to three plays per ticket. It’s good to see that Iowa players had fun with their purchases and didn’t go overboard.

More than 91 percent of all of the plays purchased in Iowa for last night’s Powerball drawing were easy picks, meaning that the lottery terminal automatically generated the numbers on the ticket.

MEGA MILLIONS DETAILS
    
The Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday now stands at an estimated $1.6 billion annuity, $905 million lump-sum option. That has pushed it just past the previous world record, a Powerball jackpot of nearly $1.6 billion that was split by three tickets in California, Florida and Tennessee in January 2016.
    
Iowa Lottery players bought tickets that won more than 78,000 prizes in Friday’s Mega Millions drawing, including two plays that were just one number away from having a share of the giant jackpot.

The winning numbers in Friday’s $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot drawing were: 15-23-53-65-70 and Mega Ball 7. The Megaplier number was 2. A total of 78,286 plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players won prizes that night ranging from $2 up to $20,000.

Two tickets purchased in Iowa came within one number of having at least a share of Friday’s jackpot, with one winning a prize of $10,000 and the other winning $20,000. They each matched four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball, but one of the tickets had added the Megaplier option, which doubled its prize.
 
The $20,000-winning ticket was purchased at EZ Go convenience store, 2723 Grand Ave. in Des Moines, while the $10,000-winning ticket was purchased at Casey’s, 1100 Eagle View Drive in Marion.

Iowa Lottery players bought more than $4 million in Mega Millions tickets for Friday’s drawing, including nearly $2.8 million in tickets on Friday alone. During Friday’s busiest stretch from about 6-7 p.m., Mega Millions tickets were selling at nearly $5,800 per minute in Iowa. However, the average Mega Millions purchase on Friday remained about $6, or three plays per ticket. Lottery officials were pleased that Iowans played at a fun level and didn’t go overboard.

More than 94 percent of all of the plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players for Friday’s drawing were easy picks.

CHECK FOR ALL POSSIBLE PRIZES

As more occasional and first-time players jump into the games with the jackpots climbing, the Iowa Lottery reminds everyone to check their tickets for all possible prizes they may have won.
 
The jackpots generate headlines, but Powerball and Mega Millions both have nine prize levels, and winnings at the games’ lower levels also can be significant. That’s why it’s important to check for all the prizes you may have won. 

Currently in Iowa, there are 52 unclaimed prizes ranging from $800 up to $1 million in the Mega Millions and Powerball games. As more time passes and those prizes remain unclaimed, it becomes more likely that the ticket involved may have been lost or thrown away.

A $1 million Powerball prize in central Iowa is still unclaimed after six months. It was won in the April 11 drawing with a ticket purchased at Casey’s, 1800 S. B Ave. in Nevada. The prize will expire on April 11, 2019, if it’s not claimed before then.

Players in Iowa have up to 365 days after the drawing involved to claim Mega Millions and Powerball prizes.

On our website, we have a complete list of all unclaimed prizes in Iowa of more than $600, the level at which you have to claim a prize directly from the lottery.    

PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY

We mean it when we say that playing smart is a lot more fun. Please play responsibly. It only takes one ticket to have a shot at a prize, and we don’t want anyone to get in over their heads while playing the lottery.

Early Details Of Tonight’s Iowa Powerball Results & The Latest On Mega Millions

Early details show that Iowa Lottery players won more than 32,000 prizes in tonight’s Powerball jackpot drawing, and the game’s top prize surged past the latest estimates that had been made beforehand.

Jackpot buzz seems to be everywhere right now, with the Mega Millions jackpot reaching a world record and Powerball’s top prize also way up there. The Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday now stands at an estimated $1.6 billion annuity, $905 million lump-sum option. It has edged just past the previous world record for a lottery prize, a Powerball jackpot of nearly $1.6 billion that was split by three tickets in California, Florida and Tennessee in January 2016.
With strong sales nationwide, the Mega Millions jackpot likely will go even higher before Tuesday’s drawing occurs.

Here is an initial look at tonight’s Powerball drawing and its Iowa results, followed by the details of yesterday’s Mega Millions drawing. We’ll have a full report available tomorrow for both big weekend drawings.

THE LATEST ABOUT POWERBALL

The winning numbers in tonight’s Powerball jackpot drawing were: 16-54-57-62-69 and Powerball 23. The Power Play number was 2. The estimated jackpot amount was $476.7   million annuity, $272.4 million lump-sum option. That ranks at No. 8 on the list of Powerball’s biggest jackpots and No. 14 among the largest jackpots in the United States.
 
A total of 32,359 plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players won prizes ranging from $4 up to $50,000. Two tickets purchased in Iowa were just one number away from having at least a share of tonight’s jackpot, matching four of the first five numbers and the Powerball to win prizes of $50,000 each. Complete overall results for the drawing, including whether there was a jackpot winner nationwide, are not yet available, as some lotteries across the country are still processing records to determine their in-state results.  

Iowa Lottery players bought nearly $1.9 million in Powerball tickets for tonight’s drawing, including nearly $650,000 in tickets on Saturday alone. However, the average Iowa Powerball purchase for the day remained about $5, or two to three plays per ticket. We’re glad to see that our players had fun buying tickets and didn’t go overboard.

More than 91 percent of all of the plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players for Saturday’s drawing were easy picks, meaning that the lottery terminal automatically generated the numbers on the ticket.

DETAILS FOR MEGA MILLIONS

Iowa Lottery players bought tickets that won 78,286 prizes in yesterday’s Mega Millions drawing.

The winning numbers in yesterday’s $1 billion jackpot drawing were: 15-23-53-65-70 and Mega Ball 7. The Megaplier number was 2. A total of 78,286 plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players won prizes last night ranging from $2 up to $20,000.
Two tickets purchased in Iowa came within one number of having at least a share of yesterday’s jackpot, with one winning a prize of $10,000 and the other winning $20,000. They each matched four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball, but one of the tickets had added the Megaplier option, which doubled its prize. 

The $20,000-winning ticket was purchased at EZ Go convenience store, 2723 Grand Ave. in Des Moines, while the $10,000-winning ticket was purchased at Casey’s, 1100 Eagle View Drive in Marion.

Iowa Lottery players bought more than $4 million in Mega Millions tickets for Friday’s drawing, including nearly $2.8 million in tickets on Friday alone. However, the average Mega Millions purchase on Friday remained about $6, or three plays per ticket.

More than 94 percent of all of the plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players for Friday’s drawing were easy picks.

PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY

We mean it when we say that playing smart is a lot more fun. Please play responsibly. It only takes one ticket to have a shot at a prize, and we don’t want anyone to get in over their heads while playing the lottery.

Mega Millions Jackpot Now At World Record, Will Likely Go Even Higher

No one won the jackpot in last night’s Mega Millions drawing, sending the giant prize to a new world record. It is now an estimated $1.6 billion annuity, $905 million lump-sum option, for Tuesday’s drawing. Strong sales across the country likely mean it will go even higher by the time that drawing occurs.

The Mega Millions jackpot has edged just past the previous world record for a lottery prize, a Powerball jackpot of nearly $1.6 billion that was split by three tickets in California, Florida and Tennessee in January 2016.    
   
LAST NIGHT’S WINNING NUMBERS

The winning numbers in last night’s $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot drawing were: 15-23-53-65-70 and Mega Ball 7. The Megaplier number was 2. A total of 78,286 plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players won prizes last night ranging from $2 up to $20,000.

IOWA’S BIG WINNERS

Two tickets purchased in Iowa came within one number of having at least a share of last night’s jackpot, with one winning a prize of $10,000 and the other winning $20,000. They each matched four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball, but one of the tickets had added the Megaplier option, which doubled its prize.
 
The $20,000-winning ticket was purchased at EZ Go convenience store, 2723 Grand Ave. in Des Moines, while the $10,000-winning ticket was purchased at Casey’s, 1100 Eagle View Drive in Marion.

MEGA MILLIONS SALES IN IOWA

Iowa Lottery players bought more than $4 million in Mega Millions tickets for last night’s drawing, including nearly $2.8 million in tickets yesterday alone. During yesterday's busiest stretch from about 6-7 p.m., Mega Millions tickets were selling at nearly $5,800 per minute in Iowa. However, the average Mega Millions purchase yesterday remained about $6, or three plays per ticket. At the lottery, we were pleased that Iowans played at a fun level and didn’t go overboard.

EASY PICKS VS. MANUAL PLAYS

More than 94 percent of all of the plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players for last night's drawing were easy picks, meaning that the lottery terminal automatically generated the numbers on the ticket.

CAN’T FORGET POWERBALL

Not to be left out, the Powerball jackpot also is climbing into the stratosphere. That game’s jackpot for tonight’s drawing is an estimated $470 million annuity, or $268.6 million lump-sum option. It ranks at No. 8 on the list of Powerball’s biggest jackpots and No. 14 among the largest jackpots in the United States.

We’ll have the Iowa–related Powerball details following tonight’s drawing.
  
PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY

While we’re all having fun in this shared moment surrounding the giant jackpots, we at the Iowa Lottery stress to our players to please play responsibly. It only takes one ticket to have a shot at a prize.

Remember that playing the lottery is something that’s just for entertainment – there’s no guarantee that you’ll win the jackpot or any prize at all. Please play with your head, not over your head.

Early Details Of Mega Millions Drawing Results In Iowa

The early details show that Iowa Lottery players won more than 78,000 prizes in tonight’s record Mega Millions jackpot drawing. The Iowa winners included two tickets that came within one number of having at least a share of the jackpot.

Strong sales nationwide pushing the giant prize to an estimated $1 billion annuity, or $565.6 million lump-sum option. We’ll have full details tomorrow, including the locations where big winning tickets were purchased in Iowa and whether there was a jackpot winner anywhere in the country.

Here’s a first look at tonight’s drawing and our results here in Iowa:

The winning numbers in tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot drawing were: 15-23-53-65-70 and Mega Ball 7. The Megaplier number was 2.

A total of 78,286 Mega Millions plays purchased in Iowa won prizes, including two tickets that came within one number of having at least a share of the jackpot. One of those tickets won a $10,000 prize and the other won a $20,000 prize. Both tickets matched four of the first five numbers and the Mega ball to win a $10,000 prize, but the person who bought the $20,000-winning ticket also added the Megaplier to the purchase, which multiplied the prize by two.

Lottery players here in Iowa bought more than $4 million in Mega Millions tickets for tonight’s drawing, including nearly $2.8 million in tickets today alone. During today’s busiest stretch from about 6-7 p.m., Mega Millions tickets were selling at nearly $5,800 per minute in Iowa. However, the average Iowa Mega Millions purchase today was about $6, or three plays per ticket. We’re glad to see that people had fun playing and didn’t go overboard.

Over the past several days, it has felt like we were all part of one big conversation. At the lottery, we extend huge thanks to our players and retailers for being part of this moment. It’s been a busy time, but we’ve all had fun and our joint efforts have made a difference right here at home by raising additional lottery proceeds for state causes.

And not to be left out, the Powerball jackpot for tomorrow currently stands at an estimated $470 million annuity, $268.6 million lump-sum option. We’ll have the early details about that drawing tomorrow night, and then full results for the weekend sometime on Sunday.

Mega BILLIONS? Tonight’s Mega Millions Jackpot Raised Again

Maybe the name should be changed to Mega Billions! Strong sales in Iowa and across the country have pushed tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot even further into record territory as lottery buzz continues to build. And not to be left out, the Powerball jackpot for tomorrow night also has been raised.
 
The Mega Millions jackpot is now an estimated $1 billion annuity, $565.6 million lump-sum option, for tonight’s drawing. The Powerball jackpot for tomorrow is an estimated $470 million annuity, $268.6 million lump-sum option.

The Mega Millions jackpot is now the largest prize offered in the history of that game and is second overall only to the world-record Powerball jackpot of nearly $1.6 billion that was split by three tickets in California, Florida and Tennessee in January 2016.

The Powerball jackpot currently ranks at No. 8 on the list of that game’s biggest jackpots, and No. 14 among the largest jackpots in the United States.   

Humans Who Procrastinate

We humans procrastinate about lots of things, and sales figures show that applies to lottery tickets, too. The day of the drawing in Mega Millions and Powerball always sees the highest sales. And in Iowa, the busiest stretch is generally from about 4 to 6 p.m. that day as a lot of folks leave work and run errands.

So if you’re looking to avoid lines to buy tickets for the big jackpots, plan accordingly. Remember that the deadline in Iowa to buy tickets for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing is 8:59 p.m. The deadline to buy a ticket for tomorrow night’s Powerball drawing is 8:59 p.m. tomorrow. If you buy a ticket after the deadline, it will be for an upcoming drawing, and you would not be in the running for that night’s giant prize.     

Please Play Responsibly

We continuously stress responsible play, and we’re upping the ante on those reminders this week. It only takes one ticket to have a shot at the jackpot.

Have fun playing the lottery, and remember that it’s just for entertainment. There is no guarantee you will win. Play with your head, not over your head.

 

Mega Millions Jackpot Climbs Further Into Record Territory

The Mega Millions® jackpot has climbed even further into record territory as lottery buzz continues across the country. The Mega Millions jackpot is now an estimated $970 million annuity, $548.6 million lump-sum option, for tomorrow night’s drawing. And not to be left out, the Powerball® jackpot also continues to climb. So combined, the top prizes in the two games are nearing $1.5 billion.

The Mega Millions jackpot is now the largest prize offered in the history of that game, far eclipsing the previous Mega Millions record of $656 million, which was split in March 2012 by three tickets purchased in Kansas, Illinois and Maryland. In terms of world records, the current Mega Millions jackpot is second only to the record Powerball jackpot of nearly $1.6 billion that was split by three tickets in California, Florida and Tennessee in January 2016.

And with no one winning the jackpot in last night’s Powerball drawing, that game’s big prize is now an estimated $430 million annuity, $248 million cash option, for Saturday’s drawing. That ranks at No. 12 on the list of the biggest Powerball jackpots, and No. 18 among the largest jackpots in the United States.    

Iowa Tickets That Came Close

In Iowa, players won more than 19,000 prizes ranging from $4 up to $50,000 in last night’s Powerball drawing. One ticket came close to having at least a share of that night’s jackpot, winning a prize of $50,000 by matching four of the first five numbers and the Powerball. It was purchased at the Petro Mart, 1961 U.S. Highway 30 in Missouri Valley.

The winning numbers in last night’s Powerball drawing were: 3-57-64-68-69 and Powerball 15. The Power Play number was 3.   

And in Mega Millions, Iowa players won more than 28,000 prizes ranging from $2 up to $10,000 in Tuesday’s drawing. Two Iowa tickets were just one number away from having at least a share of that night’s jackpot. They won prizes of $10,000 each by matching four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball. Those tickets were purchased at the Big 10 Mart, 121 S. 14th Ave. in Eldridge; and Fast Avenue One Stop, 2111 Park Ave. in Muscatine.

The winning numbers in Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing were: 3-45-49-61-69 and Mega Ball 9. The Megaplier number was 5.

Easy Pick vs. Manual Play

One of the biggest debates when it comes to big-jackpot games focuses on the types of plays that can be made – easy pick vs. manual play – and whether one or the other has a better chance of winning.  The quick answer is that the odds of winning are the same for any ticket purchased in the games. But because they are so convenient to buy, easy picks make up the bulk of the plays.

When players buy an easy pick play, the computer in the lottery terminal randomly chooses the numbers that will be printed on the ticket. When players buy a manual play, they choose their own numbers.

More than 89 percent of the plays purchased in Iowa for last night’s Powerball drawing were easy picks. And easy picks accounted for more than 93 percent of the Iowa plays purchased for Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing.   

Mega Millions Jackpot At New Record For That Game & Powerball Climbing, Too

Lottery jackpots have people daydreaming here in Iowa and all across the country. Are you in that mix?

The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to a new record for that game and is now the second-largest prize in the history of U.S. lottery games. The Powerball jackpot also is in the stratosphere.

No one won the jackpot in last night’s Mega Millions drawing, so that has sent that game’s big prize to an estimated $900 million, or $513.4 million lump-sum option, for Friday’s drawing. It’s the largest prize offered in the history of that game, eclipsing the previous Mega Millions record of $656 million, split in March 2012 by three tickets purchased in Kansas, Illinois and Maryland. The current Mega Millions jackpot is second only to the record Powerball jackpot of nearly $1.6 billion that was split by three tickets in California, Florida and Tennessee in January 2016.

And we can’t forget Powerball! That game’s jackpot for tonight’s drawing has climbed to an estimated $345 million annuity, $199 million lump-sum option. That ranks in the Top 25 for that game -- No. 17, specifically.

Two Iowa Tickets Came Close 

Here in Iowa, players won more than 28,000 prizes ranging from $2 up to $10,000 in last night’s Mega Millions drawing. Two Iowa tickets were just one number away from having at least a share of the jackpot. They won prizes of $10,000 each by matching four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball. Those tickets were purchased at the Big 10 Mart, 121 S. 14th Ave. in Eldridge; and Fast Avenue One Stop, 2111 Park Ave. in Muscatine.

The winning numbers in last night’s Mega Millions drawing were: 3-45-49-61-69 and Mega Ball 9. The Megaplier number was 5. 

Winners This Year, Predictions For This Week

The Mega Millions jackpot has been growing since it was last won in late July, while the Powerball jackpot has been growing since mid-August.  The jackpot in Mega Millions has been won four times so far in 2018, while the Powerball jackpot has been won six times this year.

With brisk sales across the country, it’s entirely possible that the estimated amount of Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot will be raised again before the drawing takes place.

While winning both jackpots is something to daydream about, it’s probably THE ultimate long shot. That’s why we emphasize responsible play. Have fun playing the lottery, and remember that it’s just for entertainment. It only takes one ticket to have a shot at the jackpot!

 

Player Mail: Why Do ‘Only People From CA, FL & NY’ Win?

A player just emailed us with a question you may have wondered about as well, and the answer comes down to population.

The player wondered why it seems like more people win lottery jackpots in states like California, Florida and New York than they do in Iowa. It’s NOT because folks in those places are luckier. It’s simply due to those states’ populations compared to that of Iowa.

In a game like Powerball, the odds of winning are the same for every ticket sold, no matter where you make your purchase. But in states with bigger populations, more people live there, so there are more people buying lottery tickets – and winning prizes. Another way of putting that is that if 5 percent of lottery tickets are sold in a particular area, you expect to find about 5 percent of the prize winners there. Everyone has the same chance of winning, but there will be more winners in places where more tickets are sold.

Powerball is sold by 47 U.S. lotteries, including those in some of our nation’s biggest states.  (California is No. 1 in terms of state population, followed by Texas, Florida and New York. All of those states sell Powerball.) Iowa, with a population of about 3.1 million, is a fairly small state within the Powerball group, but the numbers show we’re doing well in terms of jackpot winners here.

Eight Iowa Lottery players have won Powerball jackpots through the years, including the largest lottery prize to date in Iowa, a $241 million Powerball prize claimed in June 2012 by a group of 20 co-workers from the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids.

Norwalk Man Wins Huge InstaPlay Progressive Jackpot

A central Iowa man has won the biggest jackpot offered to date in an InstaPlay game!
 
Nick Keeling of Norwalk claimed his prize of $173,725 this morning at Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive.

Keeling, 30, a plumber, said he was on his way to work Saturday when he stopped at the Indy 66, 2001 W. Second Ave. in Indianola, and bought a ticket in the JACKPOT PARTY® Progressive InstaPlay game. He won $20 on it, so he decided to buy another ticket – and won the jackpot. 

JACKPOT PARTY is a $10 InstaPlay game with a top prize that starts at $10,000 and grows with each ticket sold across the state until it’s won. The jackpot had been growing for nearly two months before Keeling won his big prize on Saturday.

Prior to Keeling’s win, the biggest InstaPlay prize had been a jackpot of $50,197.25 that was won Jan. 2 in the Jumbo Bucks Progressive game by Donna Smith of Tama.

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