JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The person who bought a $286 million winning Powerball ticket at a Circle K on the Westside still hasn’t come forward to claim the prize.
Florida Powerball jackpot winners have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prize. However, to elect the one-time, lump-sum cash payment option, the claim must be filed within 60 days after the winning draw date. That lump sum is just under $197 million before taxes. To put that in perspective, doing some rough math, you could buy every Jaguars fan a game ticket and sell out the stadium for the next 36 games.
The mystery winner is Florida’s 16th jackpot winner in the multi-state game.
Someone who shops at the Circle K on Chaffee Road South on the Westside is now a multimillionaire.
The winning numbers were 44, 52, 54, 64, 69 and the Powerball was 26. The winner was a quick-pick ticket.
In addition to the holder of the ticket coming into money beyond their wildest dreams, the store will receive a $100,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
The manager of the Circle K on Chaffee Road South told News4Jax that while the store is near Interstate 10, most of the Powerball customers are locals, meaning the winner could very well be from the Westside. But that won’t be known until the winner turns in the ticket.
“It could happen to anybody,” one person said.
While it’s unclear who won, some people shared with News4Jax what they would do with the money. One person said they’d save it for college. Alton Ford said he’d retire. And Pat McClary said he’d give it away.
“I’m 80 years old. I’m happy,” McClary said.