Winning Powerball Ticket Kept in ‘Pile’ for Months in Vernon County

May. 09, 2024

A Powerball ticket purchased for the Jan. 29 drawing resulted in a $50,000 win, though the winner wasn’t aware of it for months.

The ticket – which matched four of the five white-ball numbers drawn, as well as the Powerball – was purchased at Hot Spot, 1112 E. Austin Blvd., in Nevada. The prize had gone unclaimed for nearly three months before its owner realized he held a winning ticket. 

“I buy a Quick Pick, never pick my own numbers, and I put them in a pile by my computer,” the winner explained. “Every so often, my wife will go grab them and check them when we go out to eat.” 

After finally checking their tickets, the player shared he and his wife were up late due to the adrenaline pumping through their bodies. 

“The big thing is that ticket was laying on my desk for 81 days,” the winner marveled. “There was a $50,000 ticket laying on my desk for 81 days.” 

Powerball is a $2 per play multi-state Draw Game with drawings held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:59 p.m. Saturday’s estimated jackpot is $36 million. 

In FY23, players in Vernon County won more than $3 million in Missouri Lottery prizes, while retailers received over $310,000 in commissions and bonuses. More than $397,000 went to educational programs in the county.