Powerball ticket from Gainesville Circle K wins $1 million. What to do, how long to claim
Someone in Gainesville is $1 million richer, thanks to Powerball and Circle K.
Though no one matched all five numbers plus the Powerball in the Monday, Oct. 16, drawing to win $34 million, it wasn't all bad news: A single ticket in Florida matched 5 numbers to win a cool $1 million. It was purchased at Circle K, 1515 N. Main St., Gainesville.
Here's what we know about the Gainesville winner, Powerball, guidelines on whether winners can remain anonymous in Florida and information about claiming the $1 million prize.
What were Powerball numbers for Monday, Oct. 16, 2023?
Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, numbers were 2-27-31-44-64 and the Powerball was 18. Power Play was 3x.
How much was the Powerball lottery jackpot for Monday, Oct. 16, 2023?
The jackpot for the Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, drawing climbed to $34 million with a cash option of $15.4 million.
Did anyone win Powerball lottery jackpot for Monday, Oct. 16, 2023?
The big prize? No. The Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, Powerball drawing resulted in a rollover. The jackpot climbed from $34 million to $49 million for Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. (That drawing rolled over, too, to $70 million for Saturday, Oct. 21.) Aside from the $1 million second-tier winner from Gainesville, a ticket in Georgia matched five numbers to win $1 million, according to Powerball.
Is your Publix on the list? Of 156 $1 million wins, 45 winning Florida Lottery scratch-off tickets from one game were sold at Publix
How long does $1 million Powerball winner in Florida have to claim the prize?
According to Powerball rules, "ticket expiration dates typically vary from 90 days to one year depending on the selling jurisdiction. The expiration date is often listed on the back of your ticket. If the expiration date is not listed, check with your lottery."
Because the $1 million Powerball ticket was purchased in Florida, Florida Lottery rules state prizes of $1 million and above and prizes with an annual payment option must be claimed in-person via walk-in or appointment at lottery headquarters.
The site states, "Florida Lottery draw game prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the applicable draw date. Draw game prizes for which a single-payment cash option is available must be claimed within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to elect the cash option. Once the applicable time period has elapsed, the related Florida Lottery ticket will expire."
The $1 million winner from Gainesville will have until Saturday, April 13, 2024, to claim the prize at lottery headquarters.
Can Florida lottery winners remain anonymous?
According to Florida Lottery's website, winners cannot remain anonymous: "Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide records containing information such as the winner's name, city of residence; game won, date won, and amount won to any third party who requests the information."
However, the site states, since May 25, 2022, the "names of lottery winners claiming prizes of $250,000 or greater will be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed, unless otherwise waived by the winner."
Lottery experts and lawyers have said there are ways to remain anonymous if you win.
When do Florida lottery tickets expire?
Prizes for Florida Lottery must be claimed within 180 days (six months) from the date of the drawing. To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it. Florida Lottery says its scratch-off tickets and Fast Play game prizes "must be claimed within 60 days of the official end-of-game date. Once the applicable time period has elapsed, the related Florida Lottery ticket will expire."
For the $1 million Powerball winner from the Circle K in Gainesville, it's 60 days from Oct. 16 (the date of the drawing) for the one-time, lump sum cash payment and 180 days from Oct. 16 for annual payments. The $1 million winner will have until Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, to claim a one-time lump sum, and it has to be claimed in person at Florida Lottery headquarters. The winner has until Saturday, April 13, 2024, to claim the prize in person at lottery headquarters for annual payments, or, rules state, the ticket expires.
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Circle K gas station in Florida wins $1 million Powerball prize 10/16/23
