The 750 million dollar Powerball jackpot that was up for grabs on October 31, 2023 has made headlines across the country as lottery players eagerly awaited the drawing to see who would take home the enormous grand prize. Powerball jackpots continue to grow to staggering amounts as more and more people try their luck for the chance to become an instant millionaire. But who was the lucky winner this time around? Let’s take a look at the details surrounding this massive Powerball jackpot and find out who is now 750 million dollars richer.
Powerball Jackpot Details
The October 31, 2023 Powerball jackpot started at $20 million for the October 28 drawing and rolled over multiple times without a winner before reaching the lofty amount of $750 million for the Halloween night drawing. This made it the fifth largest Powerball jackpot in the game’s history.
The cash value option for the full $750 million jackpot was an estimated $550.6 million. Powerball jackpots grow to such monumental sums because the odds of winning are incredibly steep at just 1 in 292.2 million. This allows the jackpot to continue increasing for several weeks when no players are able to match all six winning numbers.
Lottery fever had gripped the nation in the days leading up to the record-setting drawing, with players lining up at convenience stores, gas stations and lottery retailers around the country to purchase their Powerball tickets. Overall ticket sales typically increase substantially as the jackpot size goes up, leading to more money in the prize pool.
Winning Numbers
On the evening of October 31, 2023, the winning numbers were selected for the massive $750 million Powerball jackpot. The winning numbers were:
10 – 13 – 45 – 47 – 56 Powerball: 10
Along with the grand prize winner, there were also several smaller prizewinners at other levels:
– 3 tickets matched all 5 white balls to win $1 million each
– 72 tickets matched 4 white balls + the Powerball to win $50,000 each
– 906 tickets matched 4 white balls to win $100 each
– 168,657 tickets matched 3 white balls to win $7 each
– 42,227 tickets matched 2 white balls + the Powerball to win $7 each
The one lucky ticket holder matching all six numbers would take home the $750 million grand prize, which could be paid out either as the full jackpot amount over 29 years or as a one-time cash payout of approximately $550.6 million. Most jackpot winners opt for the cash payout.
Who Won the Massive Prize?
After a few days of eager anticipation, the Minnesota Lottery announced that the sole jackpot winning ticket for the $750 million Powerball drawing was purchased at a gas station in Zumbrota, Minnesota. The Cub Foods gas station and convenience store located off Highway 52 will receive a $100,000 bonus from the Minnesota Lottery for selling the winning ticket.
Lottery officials indicated that the winner has not yet come forward but has up to a year to claim the life-changing prize. The winner also has the choice between accepting the full jackpot amount as an annuity paid out over 29 years or taking the cash option of approximately $550 million. Most winners take the cash payout.
For now, the lucky ticket holder’s identity remains a mystery to the public. But whoever they may be, they are surely overwhelmed and beyond thrilled with their instant windfall of $750 million, one of the biggest lottery jackpots ever won by a single player.
Reaction to the Winning Ticket Sale
As soon as word got out that the winning ticket for the $750 million Powerball jackpot was purchased in Minnesota, there was an immense amount of excitement and buzz throughout the state.
The small town of Zumbrota, with a population just over 3,300, was suddenly thrust into the national spotlight. The Cub Foods store where the ticket was sold was inundated with phone calls from reporters and TV news crews wanting to cover the story on location.
Store manager Travis Schulz appeared at a press conference to speak about the excitement his staff felt selling the winning ticket. “It’s been insane, but it’s been so fun. We’re excited for our community and whoever the big winner is,” Schulz told reporters.
The city’s mayor, Bradley Drenckhahn, issued a statement on behalf of Zumbrota sharing in the community’s happiness over the big win. “We are thrilled that our town has made international news. I’m especially happy for the Cub store that sold the winning ticket and the excitement it has brought to our community,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Cub Foods representatives expressed their delight that one of their stores produced the jackpot winner. The company said they would be celebrating right along with the Zumbrota community.
Other Notable Powerball Jackpot Wins
While the October 31, 2023 Powerball jackpot ranks as the 5th largest in the game’s history at $750 million, there have been a few other exceptionally large prizes awarded over the years:
$1.586 billion – January 13, 2016 – Split between 3 winners in California, Florida and Tennessee
$768.4 million – March 27, 2019 – Won by a player in Wisconsin
$758.7 million – August 23, 2017 – Won by a single ticket holder in Massachusetts
$731.1 million – January 20, 2021 – Won by a single player in Maryland
$699.8 million – October 4, 2021 – Won by single ticket holder in California
$687.8 million – October 27, 2018 – Two winning tickets were sold, one in Iowa and one in New York
While the Zumbrota ticket holder can certainly take their place among the biggest Powerball winners in history, only time will tell if their $750 million jackpot will be exceeded. Powerball prizes continue to set new records, sometimes just weeks apart, as lottery fever shows no signs of diminishing.
Remaining Anonymous
For lottery jackpot winners, being thrust into the limelight when claiming massive prizes can be overwhelming. Most states allow winners to remain anonymous and withhold their identities from the public, but some states require winners to be identified publicly.
In Minnesota, lottery winners can choose to stay anonymous under the state’s Government Data Practices Act. This means the Zumbrota ticket holder who won the $750 million Powerball jackpot can keep their identity private if desired. Lottery officials will still know who the winner is for tax and record keeping purposes.
If the winner does decide to come forward eventually, they will want to assemble a team of legal and financial advisors to help maintain privacy and security going forward. Sudden wealth of this magnitude requires extensive planning to manage properly over time.
No matter whether the winner decides to remain anonymous or not, their life will no doubt be forever changed by this staggering $750 million windfall.
Odds and Probabilities
The chances of winning the Powerball jackpot are incredibly slim at just 1 in 292.2 million. This is why the jackpot was able to grow so large over several drawings without a winner. To put this in perspective, a person is about as likely to be struck by lightning as they are to hit the Powerball jackpot. Some other unlikely events and their probability odds are:
| Event | Odds of Occurring |
| Being struck by lightning in your lifetime | 1 in 15,300 |
| Getting a hole-in-one in golf | 1 in 12,500 |
| Bowling a 300 game | 1 in 11,500 |
| Being injured by a toilet | 1 in 10,000 |
| Winning an Olympic gold medal | 1 in 662,000 |
| Becoming president of the U.S. | 1 in 10 million |
| Winning the Powerball jackpot | 1 in 292.2 million |
As unlikely as hitting the jackpot is, the chance exists as long as you play. For the Zumbrota ticket holder, their miniscule odds of 1 in 292.2 million miraculously aligned to deliver them a $750 million prize that will forever alter the course of their life.
Taxes on the Winning Ticket
While winning nearly $750 million will provide financial freedom and endless possibilities, the winner will still face a sizable tax bill. Lottery winnings get taxed the same as regular income, at the highest federal tax rate of 37% for those with taxable incomes over $539,900. State taxes must also be paid in the winner’s state of residence.
Here is a breakdown of estimated taxes that would be owed on the Powerball jackpot:
Total Jackpot Amount: $750 million
Cash Payout Option (estimated): $550.6 million
– Federal tax (37%): $203.7 million
– Minnesota state tax (9.85%): $54.2 million
– Total Estimated Taxes: $257.9 million
After-tax Cash Payout (estimate): $292.7 million
While certainly still an amazing fortune, the tax implications are significant. A sizable chunk must go toward Uncle Sam and the winner’s home state. Proper tax planning and management will be critical going forward.
Future Jackpots
Now that the October 31, 2023 Powerball jackpot has been won and reset, the top prize for the next drawing on November 2 will revert back to the base starting amount of $20 million. The jackpot will once again begin climbing based on game sales and rolls without a winner.
Hefty jackpots like the $750 million prize drive substantial ticket sales, so it may take some time for Powerball to build back up to mega-jackpot status again. But at some point in the future, the right combination of rolls without a winner could produce another record-setting prize.
Powerball holds the current world record lottery jackpot of $1.586 billion won in January 2016. Could a future jackpot surpass that staggering amount? Only time will tell, but lotto fever will surely continue as players chase fortunes with the dream of becoming the next Powerball winner.
Gambling Responsibly
For most people, playing the lottery is harmless entertainment. But for some, lotteries and gambling can become problematic and lead to compulsive behaviors. The chances of winning are exceedingly low, and players should never spend more than they can afford on lottery tickets.
Lotteries prey on the tendency toward unrealistic optimism in thinking your big win is right around the corner. In reality, the odds are overwhelmingly against it. Playing responsibly within limits and not chasing losses are keys to keeping perspective. Gambling should be fun, not something that creates financial hardship.
If gambling becomes unhealthy and out of control, help is available. Organizations like the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network provide resources and treatment for problem gambling issues. Avoiding lotteries altogether may be wise for those prone to compulsive behaviors.
Final Thoughts
The record $750 million Powerball jackpot enthralled the nation as lottery players dreamed of having the lucky ticket. In the end, a single ticket purchaser in Minnesota defied the odds to become the jackpot winner. While the Zumbrota player’s identity is still unknown, we can be certain their life is forever changed with this incredible fortune.
Powerball jackpots will continue reaching staggering amounts as more people get caught up in lotto fever. But the chances of winning remain infinitesimally small, so pursuing other more realistic paths to financial security is generally the wiser choice. Yet as long as there are lotteries, there will always be people hoping to beat the odds and become the next unlikely multimillionaire.
