Winning Ticket Claims $526.5 Million Powerball Jackpot in the U.S.

An individual's life has taken a dramatic turn in the United States this weekend after winning a staggering $526.5 million with a Powerball ticket purchased from a 7-Eleven store in Anaheim, located in Orange County, California. This marks the second significant prize awarded by Powerball in 2025. The frequency of major victories in California is raising eyebrows among some residents. Recently, some have even tagged DOGE, urging them to investigate this peculiar pattern.

Elusive Jackpot Finally Won

The winning ticket was bought at the 7-Eleven situated at 763 North Euclid Street in Anaheim. This purchase ended a streak of 28 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner since January 18, when an Oregon resident claimed $328.5 million. The fortunate individual matched all six winning numbers: white balls 7, 11, 21, 53, and 61, with the red Powerball being number 2. The Power Play multiplier was 3X, boosting smaller prizes for other participants.

Real Prize Amount

Although the jackpot was announced as $526.5 million, the actual amount received depends on the payout option and federal taxes. The winner can choose between:

Immediate Lump Sum: This option offers a payout of $243.8 million, subject to a 37% federal tax withholding, resulting in a net amount of $153.6 million. Despite the deductions, it's a life-changing sum, stemming from a mere $2 investment—the cost per Powerball ticket.

Annual Payments: Spread over 30 years, this option begins with an immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year. After the 37% federal tax, the net total would be approximately $332.98 million, equating to about $11.1 million annually. Notably, California does not impose state taxes on lottery winnings.

Store's Million-Dollar Bonus

The Anaheim 7-Eleven where the winning ticket was sold will also receive a reward. It will be granted a $1 million bonus, the maximum prize the California Lottery awards to retailers selling jackpot-winning tickets.

Additional Winners

In addition to the main jackpot, the March 29 drawing produced five new millionaires, each winning $1 million after matching five out of the six numbers. These winning tickets were sold in Georgia (two winners), Ohio, Oregon, and Texas. Overall, more than 928,000 tickets were winners in this draw, underscoring Powerball's appeal despite the slim odds of hitting the jackpot, which the Multi-State Lottery Association estimates at 1 in 292.2 million.

The Allure of Powerball

Powerball is one of the most popular lotteries in the United States, with tickets available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The excitement of participating and the slim chance of winning millions with a small investment continues to attract millions of players each week. Although the identity of Anaheim's new multimillionaire remains unknown, their story has already become part of the collective fantasy of those dreaming of changing their fate with a single ticket.