BALTIMORE, MD—The wait is over. The largest prize in the Maryland Lottery’s history has finally been claimed.
Excitement spread across the nation in January when the Powerball jackpot climbed to $731.1 million. On January 20, one winning ticket was sold at Coney Market in Lonaconing, a small town in Western Maryland.
Anonymous winners, who nicknamed themselves “The Power Pack,” have now claimed the prize, choosing the $546.8 million lump sum cash option (approximately $366.6 million after federal and state taxes).
The winner who purchased the ticket checked it about a half dozen times before stating in disbelief to the rest of the “pack.”
“This can’t be right, I’m going to work.”
The single Quick-Pick ticket was the only one the Power Pack purchased for the January 20 Powerball drawing.
The Power Pack told Maryland Lottery officials they have no plans to change their lifestyles. They would like to invest the money to take care of their families and positively impact their communities “for generations to come.”
Although it took the winners four months after the drawing to come forward, they still had plenty of time. The deadline to claim was July 21st. Maryland Lottery winners have 182 days after the drawing date to claim prizes.
The $731.1 million jackpot was the fourth-largest in Powerball history and sixth-largest in U.S. lottery history. It is, by far, the largest prize in the Maryland Lottery’s history, easily outdistancing the $218.6 million share of a $656 million Mega Millions jackpot claimed anonymously by The Three Amigos in the March 30, 2012 drawing.
“We are thrilled that the jackpot has been claimed, and we couldn’t be happier for the winners,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Managing Director of Communications Carole Gentry. “The prize generated nearly $49 million in tax revenue for the state, so everyone in Maryland wins.”
The January 20 drawing marked Maryland’s first Powerball win since 2011 and third overall. The previous two Powerball jackpot prizes in the state were $128.8 million in December 2011 (Elkton, Cecil County) and $108.8 million in September 2011 (Abingdon, Harford County).
Powerball drawings air at 11:22 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays on WBAL-TV.
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