02 January 2024 , 13:42
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A lucky lottery player has started 2024 with a bang, winning an enormous $842.4million (£665m) Powerball jackpot on New Year's Day.
The winner from Michigan is the first person to bag the top prize on New Year's Day since the game began in 1992. The winning numbers were: 12, 21, 42, 44, 49 and red Powerball: 1.
We don't know who the lucky ticket holder is yet, but they can choose between a yearly payout of $842.4 million over 30 years, or a one-off payment of $425.2 million (£336m). Both options are before taxes.
Before the draw, it was thought that the jackpot was $810 million, but final ticket sales pushed it up to $842.4 million. This makes it the fifth-largest Powerball jackpot and the 10th-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever won.
The jackpot had been growing since mid-October before this big win. Other winners include four tickets sold in California, Connecticut, Florida and Maryland, which matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. Two tickets, from Florida and Texas, matched all five white balls and won $2 million prizes by including the Power Play option for an extra $1 per play.
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A Powerball jackpot worth $842.4million was won on New Year's Day (Getty Images)The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. The biggest prize ever was $2.04 billion, won in November 2022.
Edwin Castro, who won the biggest-ever lottery jackpot, bought his winning ticket from a local petrol station. He chose to take a lump sum of $997.6 million, just under $1 billion, says the California Lottery.
The billionaire recently splashed out $47million on a swanky Bel Air mansion with seven bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a lovely koi pond and a stylish infinity pool. He also has a collection of posh cars, including a classic Porsche 911 which costs well over $150,000.
Castro also treated his parents to a gorgeous home. The 4,631-square-foot mansion in Altadena, California, is hidden from public view by olive trees and boasts a stunning view of the San Gabriel Mountains. The house features high white ceilings, white walls, and simple light fixtures. It also has a fireplace, a huge garden, and breathtaking mountaintop views.
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