24 July 2023 , 15:34
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A shopkeeper who sold a lucky $1billion Powerball lotto ticket is set to become a millionaire - thanks to a loophole.
Dad-of-four Raul Nabor Herrera, manager of Las Palmitas Mini Market in Los Angeles, changed the lives of one of his customers overnight by selling the historic winning Powerball ticket on Wednesday.
But now his life will also change forever thanks to a loophole in California law which gives the retailer a 0.5 percent share of the prize fund – which in this case would be up to $1 million.
He is already planning to take his children on holiday to Cancun with the Powerball winnings, telling KTV: “It’s a surprise for me."
The shop owner admitted he had not realised he sold the winning ticket until he arrived early for work on Thursday after his shop was surrounded by photographers.
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Store manager Navor Herrera will become a millionaire (AP)Mr Herrera, who has owned the store for the last seven years, admitted he has no idea who bought the ticket, due to selling so many tickets in recent days.
A mystery woman claimed she bought the winning ticket and collapsed to her knees in joy after realising she had become a billionaire.
She was seen wearing a black cap with a denim jacket and bright green leggings and could be heard by neighbours across the street after screaming so loudly, according to reporters at the shop.
The unnamed winner finally put an end to the 39 previous draws which had failed to produce any winners on Wednesday after a ticket at Raul's store 7, 10, 11, 13 and 24 - and the red 24 Powerball.
The beaming owner plans to go on holiday (FOX11)Powerball confirmed three tickets sold in Florida, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island had won $2 million and there 36 other winners who are now millionaires.
There were Match 5 winners in California (seven), Connecticut, Florida (four), Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts (three), Maryland (two), Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey (two), New York (five), Ohio, Texas (four), Wisconsin and West Virginia.
The Powerball jackpot is now reset to $20 million. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.million.
Drew Svitko, Powerball product group chair and Pennsylvania Lottery executive director, said: "This has turned into a historic jackpot run; this is only the third time in Powerball’s 31-year history that a jackpot has reached the billion-dollar threshold.
This woman is now a billionaire if verified as the winner (KTLA 5)"It only takes one ticket to win this massive jackpot or any of Powerball’s other cash prizes. If you win the jackpot, sign your ticket, put it somewhere very safe, and reach out to your local lottery.
"During this exciting time, we would like to remind our players to play responsibly. It only takes one ticket to win this massive jackpot or any of Powerball’s other cash prizes.
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"If you win the jackpot, sign your ticket, put it somewhere very safe, and reach out to your local lottery. Your lottery is always your best resource for information on how to claim a prize."