Powerball $200M+ winner claims jackpot on the next day

• A $209.3 million Powerball jackpot winner in North Carolina claimed the prize just one day after the draw, choosing to remain anonymous and take the lump-sum payout
• The win ranks as the second-largest Powerball jackpot in the state’s history, with the ticket sold at a local store that earned a $50,000 bonus
• After opting for a lump sum and accounting for taxes, the winner will take home about $68.6 million, highlighting the financial realities behind massive lottery prizes

While the nation held its breath and wondered if the winner of a $1.8m Powerball jackpot would finally come forward to claim his life-altering reward, another Powerball winner decided to act much swifter and scoop up the reward on the very next day of winning it.

As confirmed by the Powerball itself, the winner took only a day to claim his $209.3m prize, having won it a week earlier on Wednesday. By Thursday, January 22, they were at the lottery’s headquarters in Raleigh, looking for the reward.

This is the second-largest jackpot to have been won in North Carolina, with the player scooping up the multi-million dollar win on the winning numbers of 11, 26, 27, 53, 55, and Powerball number of 12.

The shop that sold the ticket - the West 10th Mart on West 10th Street in Roanoke Rapids, also claimed a bonus for selling the winning ticket - $50,000. As to the mode of claiming the award, the winner, who chose to stay anonymous, has decided to go for the lump sum payment of $95.3m, as opposed to annuity payments over 29 years.

Most winners opt for the lump sum, despite the heavy taxes that it incurs, with the argument running that the money can be invested and benefited from today, while a person is still alive, as opposed to waiting for it over the course of 30 years.

A woman in Canada recently drew criticism from netizens after she opted for the weekly CA$1,000 option instead of the flat CA$1m payout.

Going for the lump sum despite heavy taxes

After taxes have been applied to the payout, however, the winner will be taking an even smaller share of the prize - $68.6m. Powerball winners generally get a new chance at life, helping out family and friends, and fixing things in their personal lives.

This is why the story of one Powerball player who has won the game and ended up embezzling $73,000 has surprised many.

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