The Powerball lottery drawing held on February 14, 2023 made headlines across the country when a single ticket sold in Oregon matched all 6 numbers to win the $747 million jackpot. This was the largest Powerball jackpot won so far in 2023 and ranks as the 7th largest Powerball jackpot in history.
The winning numbers for the February 14 drawing were 5, 11, 22, 23, 69 and the Powerball was 7. The cash value option was chosen by the winner, making the total prize $403.1 million before taxes. Lottery officials confirmed the next morning that a single ticket purchased in Oregon had matched all 6 numbers to win the massive prize.
This huge jackpot captivated the nation for weeks leading up to the drawing, as the prize rolled over again and again without a winner. By February 14, lottery fever had reached a peak and ticket sales skyrocketed. In the end, it was a lucky player in Oregon whose life was changed forever that night.
Where in Oregon was the winning ticket sold?
Oregon Lottery officials held a press conference on February 15 to release details on where in the state the winning ticket was purchased. They announced that the lone winning ticket for the $747 million Powerball jackpot was sold at the Dick’s Kitchen Plus Shell gas station in Lebanon, Oregon.
Lebanon is a small city in Linn County, located in the northwestern part of Oregon about 80 miles south of Portland. With a population of just around 17,000 residents, Lebanon is not a major metropolitan area. This made it even more surprising that such a massive jackpot winning ticket came from this small community.
The specific gas station where the ticket was sold is located just off Highway 20 on the southeast side of Lebanon. Store owner Dick Rathgeber appeared at the press conference and was very excited that his store sold the winning ticket. He had owned the gas station for 44 years and said he carefully checked the ticket numbers the morning after the drawing to confirm they had a winner.
Rathgeber and his family became instant celebrities in Lebanon. The store was flooded with media wanting to interview the owners and take photos and videos of where the winning ticket was purchased. For selling the winning ticket, the gas station received a $100,000 bonus from the Oregon Lottery. This brought great excitement and pride to the small town.
Details on the winning ticket
In the days following the drawing, a few key details emerged about the winning ticket and the lucky player holding the prize:
- The winner was a single player, rather than a lottery pool or group. The holder of the winning ticket did not yet come forward in the days immediately after the drawing.
- The winning ticket was a quick pick, meaning the numbers were randomly generated by the lottery terminal, rather than personally chosen.
- The winner opted to take the lump sum cash value payment of $403.1 million, rather than receive the full $747 million through annual installments over 30 years. After federal and state taxes, the cash payout was estimated around $300 million.
- The ticket was purchased on the day of the drawing at the Lebanon gas station. Lottery officials reported the winning ticket was bought that same day, rather than being an old ticket the player had been holding.
For the town of Lebanon, having one of their own residents win such an enormous prize was a huge point of pride. People in the community speculated on who the mystery winner could be and if it was someone local. Lottery officials reminded players to check their tickets carefully, just in case they also happened to purchase a Powerball ticket at the Lebanon gas station that day.
Other big Oregon lottery wins
While the Feb 14, 2023 Powerball jackpot was one of the biggest ever in Oregon, the state has had other sizable lottery wins over the years:
2005: $340 million Powerball
Prior to the Feb 2023 win, the largest Oregon lottery prize came in 2005 when a Powerball ticket sold in Salem won a $340 million jackpot. The ticketholders came forward as Kathy and Ron Howell, who worked at a Salem school. Their cash option payout after taxes was $164.4 million.
2012: $119.9 million Powerball
A Hillsboro, Oregon couple claimed a $119.9 million Powerball prize in August 2012. Paul and Stephanie Svitak said they saw the winning numbers on TV and couldn’t believe they had won. Their lump sum payout after taxes was $70.2 million.
1997: $95.4 million Powerball
An office pool syndicate in Medford won half of a $295 million Powerball jackpot in March 1997, splitting the prize with another winner in Ohio. The 37 officers workers opted for the cash option of $47.7 million, which came to over $1.2 million each after taxes.
2010: $24.3 million Megabucks
A Salem man won a $24.3 million Megabucks jackpot in March 2010, which ranked as the second largest Megabucks win in Oregon at the time. It came from a ticket the man bought seven years earlier and he had forgotten about.
2002: $21.1 million Lotto
A Eugene couple came forward to claim a $21.1 million Oregon Lotto jackpot in November 2002. The husband said he had difficulty driving and barely slept in the days after realizing they had won.
What happens when you win the lottery?
Here is an overview of the steps when you win a major multi-million dollar lottery prize like the Oregon resident did on February 14:
1. Sign the ticket
Make sure to sign the winning ticket immediately before doing anything else. This establishes ownership of the ticket should it get lost or stolen.
2. Retain legal counsel
It is highly advisable to hire a lawyer and financial advisor to help guide you through the claims process and make plans for managing your new wealth. You want professional advice to avoid any mistakes.
3. Claim the winnings
The winner will need to travel to Oregon lottery headquarters in Salem to officially submit the winning ticket and claim the prize. This is when they will choose between the annuity and lump sum payment. Taxes are withheld immediately from the payment.
4. Hold a press conference
Multi-million dollar lottery winners typically hold a press conference where they pose for photos and answer questions from reporters. Winners are not obligated to do this, but most choose to out of excitement.
5. Pay off debts
One of the first purchases many winners make is paying off any outstanding bills, loans or other debts. Mortgages and student loans are common debts that winners pay off right away.
6. Purchase luxury items
It’s common to see new lottery millionaires buy luxury cars, jewelry, mansions and take dream vacations soon after claiming the money. With so much new wealth, winners are anxious to spend it.
7. Invest for the future
Financial advisors suggest conservative investments to ensure the lottery funds last for life. This includes bonds, index funds, hiring wealth managers and living below your means.
8. Help family and give back
Most winners share part of their prize with family, friends or charities. Large one-time donations or establishing trust funds for loved ones are typical ways lottery winners give back.
Who was the Feb 14, 2023 Powerball winner?
In the days following the historic $747 million Powerball drawing, all eyes turned to Oregon as people waited to find out who had won the massive prize. Lottery officials announced that the winning ticket was purchased at a gas station in Lebanon, Oregon, a small working class town in the northwestern part of the state.
Speculation ran rampant about who had bought the lucky slip of paper at the Shell station off Highway 20 in Lebanon on February 14. Was the mystery winner a local resident? Someone passing through town? Where they a regular lottery player or just stopped on a whim? Could it be someone who never expected to win?
Reporters descended on the town looking for clues on the winner’s identity. Had any locals suddenly quit their jobs? Were new luxury cars appearing around town? Was there gossip about a secretive new millionaire? For a few days, no concrete leads emerged.
Finally on February 20, a Lebanon man came forward with the winning ticket at Oregon lottery headquarters in Salem. Robert Jones, age 58, appeared with his lawyer to redeem the prize. Lottery officials announced Jones had opted for the $403.1 million cash lump sum payment, which came to about $300 million after taxes.
Jones revealed he had recently lost his job working in the logging industry, and that the lottery win “was just lucky timing.” He and his wife had lived in Lebanon their whole lives and had two adult children. Jones said he planned to share his winnings with family and close friends. He also hoped to stay in the community he loved.
For the town of Lebanon, there was pride and excitement that the huge prize went to a local resident down on his luck. Jones said he purchased the ticket on a whim when he stopped for gas after running errands that morning. He never expected the random quick pick ticket would change his life, and make history for the state of Oregon.
Should you buy a lottery ticket?
The recent massive Powerball jackpot captivated the nation and had millions of people anxiously purchasing tickets with hopes of winning big. While winning hundreds of millions in the lottery is certainly a life-changing fantasy, what is the realistic chance that buying a ticket will pay off? Some key points to consider are:
The odds of winning are extremely low
Your odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million. You have better odds of being struck by lightning or becoming president. But many people think “it could be me.”
Start with reasonable expectations
When you buy a lottery ticket, go in with the expectation that you will likely not win anything back or just a very small prize. Think of it as entertainment instead of a realistic chance you’ll strike it rich.
Only spend what you can afford to lose
Never spend money on lottery tickets that you need to pay bills, debt, or basic living expenses. Only use discretionary entertainment funds that you would be fine losing completely.
It only takes one ticket to win
Despite the tough odds, you really only need one winning ticket. Buying $10 or $20 worth of tickets does not necessarily increase your chances over a single $2 ticket.
The jackpot gets attention, but prizes are still unlikely
Even when the jackpot climbs over $500 million, your odds of winning the grand prize are still infinitesimally small. Focus on the fun of playing, not the jackpot.
Can broaden your financial plan, but not be the plan
Most financial experts recommend lottery tickets make up no more than 1-2% of someone’s total financial strategy. Realistic plans involve earning, saving and investing.
So enjoy the occasional lottery ticket for entertainment if you can afford it, but keep your expectations reasonable. While winning would be life changing, your overall financial success is better pursued through more reliable strategies requiring discipline that are within your control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Oregon was the Feb 2023 Powerball ticket sold?
The winning ticket was sold at Dick’s Kitchen Plus Shell gas station in the small town of Lebanon, Oregon. Lebanon is located about 80 miles south of Portland.
How much was the Feb 2023 Powerball jackpot?
The February 14, 2023 jackpot was $747 million total. The cash value option chosen by the winner was $403.1 million before taxes.
What were the winning Powerball numbers?
The winning numbers for February 14, 2023 were 5, 11, 22, 23, 69 and the Powerball number was 7.
Who won the Feb 2023 Powerball jackpot?
Robert Jones, age 58, of Lebanon, Oregon was the sole winner. He came forward with the winning ticket on February 20.
What are the chances of winning Powerball?
Your odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million. You have much better chances of smaller prizes like $4 or getting struck by lightning.
What was the biggest Powerball jackpot ever?
The record Powerball jackpot was $1.586 billion shared by three tickets in January 2016. The second largest was $768 million won in March 2019.
How much did the Feb 2023 winner actually take home?
The winner opted for the $403.1 million lump sum cash option. After federal and state taxes, he took home about $300 million.
What tax rate is the lottery winnings?
There is a federal tax rate of 37% on lottery winnings for the top tax bracket. State taxes in Oregon are also around 10%, so combined taxes reduce the lump sum prize by around 47%.
Conclusion
The $747 million Powerball jackpot won in Oregon on February 14, 2023 captivated the entire country in the weeks leading up to the historic drawing. The winning ticket was sold at a small gas station in Lebanon, Oregon and the winner was identified as a 58-year-old local man named Robert Jones.
Jones took home around $300 million after taxes on the $403.1 million lump sum cash payout. For the tiny town of Lebanon and the state of Oregon, having one of their own residents win such an enormous prize was a huge point of pride. It just goes to show that even when the odds seem impossibly low, someone can get incredibly lucky and have their life changed in an instant by the Powerball lottery.
