'It's Beyond Exciting': Winning $559 Million Powerball Ticket Sold In NH
MERRIMACK, N.H. (CBS/AP) — It's been a billion-dollar lottery weekend after a lone Powerball ticket sold in New Hampshire matched all six numbers and will claim a $559.7 million jackpot, one day after another single ticket sold in Florida nabbed a $450 million Mega Millions grand prize.
Since Reeds Ferry Market opened at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, dozens of excited regulars have stopped by the small, independent convenience store in New Hampshire that sold the winning Powerball ticket to congratulate the owner and chat about the win, store owner Sam Safa said.
He said he doesn't know the identity of the winner, but hopes one of the regulars from the over 100-year-old store in Merrimack, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Concord, won the nation's seventh-largest lottery jackpot.
"I was notified at about 5 a.m. this morning. I could not believe it at first," said Safa.
He said that by selling the ticket, it felt like he himself had won. The store will receive a $75,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
"I'm going to improve my business a little bit, update my equipment. Maybe a tiny vacation," Safa said.
The winning Powerball numbers drawn Saturday night were 12-29-30-33-61 and Powerball 26.
The initial jackpot was estimated at $570 million, but the actual jackpot at the time of the drawing was the lesser amount, $559.7 million, New Hampshire Lottery Spokeswoman Maura McCann said Sunday.
As of mid-afternoon Sunday, the winner had not yet come forward.
"Five hundred sixty million in a small country market in the middle of the state. It's beyond exciting," said New Hampshire Lottery Executive Director Charlie McIntyre.
The Florida Lottery says the winning Mega Millions ticket from Friday night's drawing was bought at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Port Richey. The retailer will receive a $100,000 bonus for selling the ticket. The identity of that winner also had not yet been revealed.
The winning numbers to claim the Mega Millions jackpot were 28-30-39-59-70-10.
The jackpots refer to the annuity options for both games, in which payments are made over 29 years. Most winners opt for cash options, which would be $281 million for Mega Millions and $358.5 million for Powerball.
McIntyre urged caution for whoever takes home the massive prize.
"Take your time, really take your time. Get some advice. Trust the people you would trust with your children," said McIntyre.
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are one in 302.5 million. Powerball odds are one in 292.2 million.
"Congratulations. I'm happy for you, whoever you are. Stop by and say 'Hi,'" said Safa.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)