Winning $338M Powerball ticket sold in Passaic, N.J.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. The sole winning ticket sold for Saturday's $338.3 million Powerball drawing was purchased at a liquor store in northern New Jersey.

However, the winner has not yet come forward to claim the fourth-largest jackpot in Powerball history.

"Most people take their time, seek professional advice, and wait to know exactly what they're doing before they come in," said New Jersey Lottery Executive Director Carole Hedinger, adding that the winners have one year to come forward to claim their prize.

The New Jersey Lottery does not provide total anonymity to winners, Hedinger said, although they only reveal the winner's name and hometown, but not their street address.

State lottery officials announced the ticket was bought at Eagle Liquors in Passaic.

The numbers drawn were 17, 29, 31, 52, 53 and Powerball 31. A lump sum payout would be $221 million. With 25 percent in federal taxes and three percent in state taxes would have, that would result in an after-tax total of about $152 million in cash, Hedinger said.

Powerball is played in 42 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The chance of matching all five numbers and the Powerball number is about 1 in 175 million.

Hedinger said reports about the winning ticket being sold in Bordenton, N.J., were false, and that they have "already begun our security procedures to validate the selling of (the winning) ticket."

While officials are uncertain about whether or not an individual or group won, they are certain only one winning ticket was sold nationwide.

"Whoever they are, they should sign the back of that ticket immediately and put it in a safe place," said Hedinger. "I do hope they come forward very soon. Meanwhile, we'll continue to make millionaires."