Winning Powerball Numbers Drawn For $587M Jackpot
Updated 11/29/12 - 6:45 a.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Powerball officials say tickets sold in Arizona and Missouri matched all six numbers to win the record $587.5 million jackpot.
The winning numbers, drawn just before 10 p.m., were: 5-16-22-23-29 and the Powerball was 6.
Lottery officials say 58 people won a $1 million prize by matching five numbers. Two of those were purchased in Illinois, one in downstate Fairmount and another in Flanagan. Fairmount is near Champaign, while Flanagan is near Pontiac.
Two $1 million tickets were sold in Indiana, one in Highland at the Citgo at 8317 Kennedy Avenue, and one in Vincennes. Wisconsin officials say another one was sold in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis.
Before the winning numbers were drawn, gas stations and convenience stores across the Chicago area were busy most of the day Wednesday, as Powerball players lined up to get their tickets for a chance at the jackpot, the largest Powerball jackpot ever, and the second largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history.
CBS 2's Mike Parker reports, at the 7-Eleven in Oak Park, Powerball players were lining up all day, and the cash was rolling in.
A store manager said they sold more than 10,000 Powerball games on Wednesday. Nationwide, tickets sold at a rate of more than 130,000 per minute on Wednesday. Powerball officials estimated there was a 75 percent chance at least one winning ticket would be sold.
Despite the astronomical odds against winning – there's only a 1 in 175 million chance of winning the jackpot on each ticket – you could cut the optimism with a knife as players clutched their tickets on Wednesday.
Powerball player Kristin Golatz said, "I have the winning tickets, by the way, so … no need to buy. I already got it."
CBS 2's Marissa Bailey reports confidence was pumping through many Powerball machines and convenience stores on Wednesday. Some players were even praying for help in winning the big jackpot.
The question for many players was whether to opt for a quick pick, or pick their own numbers.
John Littau, who said he only plays when the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpots get really big, went with the quick pick random option.
Told the most common number in the past 90 days was 56, Littau noticed that was one of the random numbers on his tickets.
"Two of them - one on each card!" he said.
Some people loved sharing their numbers, but others were keeping their picks secret.
No matter what their strategy, there's no doubt this jackpot has people hoping for a historic payoff.
David Keating said, "I'd start trust funds for my all my little brothers and cousins."
Anita Boston was planning a big vacation if she wins.
"Catch me in Vegas if I win!" she said.
Douglas Scott was hopeful about winning, but staying realistic.
"I always feel lucky, but I never win," he said.
David Brown had the same thought many lottery players have when there's a big jackpot. If he wins, he'd go back to work, but not for long.
"I would go back and tell them I quit," he said. "Yeah. I would go back and tell them I'm done."
If a single winner opts for a one-time cash payout, they'd get $384 million before taxes.
