Powerball lottery winner walks away from official HQ with just $71,517 despite $100k prize – he’d paid to double his win
A LOTTERY player recently won a massive $100,000 prize in a Powerball drawing but only got to take home a fraction of the winnings.
The lucky winner’s original prize was doubled thanks to an extra add-on he paid for in the game.
GettyA North Carolina lottery player won $100,000 but only took home $71,000[/caption]
Maysam Aljader, of Holly Springs, North Carolina around 30 minutes south of Raleigh, won an incredible $100,000 prize during Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing.
Aljader bought a Quick Pick ticket for the game via the state lottery’s Online Play option, according to lottery officials.
In order to win, his lucky ticket matched four white balls and the red Powerball.
Initially, he was set to take home $50,000.
However, the lottery player had purchased the $3 Power Play ticket, which includes more winnings if there is a 2X multiplier.
Lucky for Aljader, the 2X multiplier hit and his winnings doubled to $100,000.
Officials revealed Aljader traveled to lottery headquarters in Raleigh on Thursday to claim his big prize.
He ultimately decided to take his winnings in one lump-sum payment.
Due to federal and state tax withholdings, Aljader was only able to collect $71,517.
Typically when winning the lottery, players have two options to collect their prize: lump sum or in annuity.
Annuity is when the winner collects their money slowly in increments, often over the course of 30 years.
Meanwhile, lump sum payments will pay it all at once.
However, if winners choose this option, taxes on their winnings are withheld right away as well.
This usually results in 24% of the prize being cut immediately.
As each state and lottery game can pay out prizes differently, it is important to be aware of how your state pays out winnings.
Top lottery winners in the US
Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.
Edwin Castro – $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
Unknown winner – $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
Unknown winner – $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
Unknown winner – he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
Unknown winner – $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
Cheng and Duanpen Saephan, and Laiza Liem Chao – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
Yanira Alvarez – $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
Unknown winner – $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.
If you have won a game, consider consulting a financial advisor before taking home the cash to discuss the best ways to manage your new prize.
In North Carolina, lottery winners of scratch-off games have up to 90 days to collect their winnings.
Draw game winners have 180 calendar days to claim the prize.
Prizes of amounts less than $600 will be automatically deposited into the winner’s NC lottery account.
While winnings between $600 and $99,999 must be claimed online.
Anything including and above $100,000 needs to be claimed in person at the NC lottery headquarters, officials say.
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