UPDATE: The jackpot-winning Powerball ticket was bought at Richmond International Airport, at the Lottery Express (self-service) machine located in the atrium, according to the Virginia Lottery.
Virginia Lottery Executive Director Paula Otto said the ticket was sold in the last week and that the winner could be anywhere.
RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Someone in Central Virginia is waking up with a $217 million smile on their face.
The Virginia Lottery announced this morning that one ticket purchased “in the Richmond metro area” matched all six numbers in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing.
The ticket is worth an estimated $217 million.
John Haggerty with the Virginia Lottery has some valuable advice:
“Before you jump up-and-down, before you scream and shout, sign the back of the ticket–very important to sign the back of the ticket,” Haggerty said. “And then after that we encourage people to get professional financial advice. You also want professional tax advice for a winning this size.”
The winning numbers were 5-27-36-38-41 and the Powerball number 12.
The winner has 180 days from the drawing to claim the prize, lottery officials said.
The winner can either receive the full jackpot payments spread out over 30 years, or choose a one-time cash option of $136.4 million before taxes.
This is a developing story. Check back with WTVR.com and watch CBS 6 News for updates.
