News Release PDF
DATE: Thursday, December 20, 2012
CONTACT: Sally Lunsford (785) 296-5708
sally.lunsford@kslottery.net
Kansas Ticket Hits $50 Million Powerball Jackpot;Lottery Holds
News Conference
One ticket matched all numbers in last night's Powerball
drawing, and that ticket was sold in Kansas! The $50 million winner
has not yet come forward, but Lottery officials said in a news
conference today that they have been contacted by a person believed
to be holding the winning ticket.
The ticket has not yet been claimed, but we can tell you that
the person we believe to be the winner did contact us this
morning. At this time we are unable to identify the winner or
the retailer that sold the ticket," said Neysa Thomas, the Kansas
Lottery's Acting Executive Director. "The ticket must first
be officially claimed."
The Lottery did say that the lucky ticket was sold in northeast
Kansas small and matched all numbers: 5-8-20-23-30 Powerball 3.
Among the decisions the winner will have to make is whether to
take the jackpot prize as an annuity paid out over 29 years (30
payments) or a cash lump sum. The cash option for the prize
is an estimated $32.7 million. If the winner takes the cash
lump sum, he or she would receive approximately $22.9 million after
taxes. The Lottery is mandated to withhold 25 percent federal taxes
on the prize (approximately $8.2 million) and 5 percent state taxes
(approximately $1.6 million)
Thomas said the person believed to be the winner was consulting
with legal counsel and financial advisors before claiming the
ticket. The winner has 365 days from the date of the drawing
to claim the prize.
The Powerball jackpot returns to an estimated $40 million
(annuity) for Saturday's drawing.