The biggest lottery winner ever has finally been revealed.
California lottery officials announced Tuesday the winner of the record $2.04 billion Powerball drawing from November, the largest prize in U.S. lottery history. The winner is Edwin Castro, but if you’re looking for more information about the winner, you’re going to face some long odds thanks to California’s laws.
Here’s what to know about the winner of the record Powerball winner:
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What do we know about the $2.04 billion Powerball winner?
Other than his name, nothing.
According to the California Lottery, the lottery is subject to public disclosure laws, meaning the winner’s name and other relevant information is publicly revealed. This is what gets revealed, in accordance with state laws:
- Full name
- Name and location of retailer that sold winning ticket
- Date jackpot was won
- Amount of winnings, as well as gross or net installment payment information
California Lottery Deputy Director Carolyn Becker told USA TODAY last month that the winner had up to a year from the draw to come forward.
At a news conference Tuesday, lottery officials said Castro declined an invitation to appear publicly.
“As you might imagine, anyone would like to largely remain private,” California Lottery Director Alva Johnson said. “We offer our sincere congratulations on this unbelievable and historic win.”
‘Shocked and ecstatic’
Although Castro declined to speak with reporters, he sent a written statement to officials saying he was “shocked and ecstatic” to have won.
Castro added he was glad California public schools benefit from the lottery because he identified as “being educated in the California public education system.”
State officials have Castro’s winning ticket and said they’re considering putting it on display at the lottery’s headquarters.
More: An 18-year-old bought a lottery ticket for the first time. She won $48 million.
How much money does the $2.04 billion Powerball winner get?
Officials said Castro chose the lump sum payment rather than the annuity option, which would have given him his winnings over 30 annual payments.
By choosing the lump sum, Castro receives $997.6 million, but that’s before taxes. USA TODAY estimated the winner of the jackpot would probably be left with $628.5 million after taxes, assuming no other deductions.
Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, where the ticket was sold, was given a $1 million bonus check in November for selling the winning ticket.
What are the chances of winning Powerball?
While winning the Powerball jackpot sounds life-changing, the game has abysmal odds, which are designed to build big prizes by drawing more players.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 292,201,338 to 1.
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Highest jackpots in Powerball history
Here are the largest Powerball jackpots in history, according to the lottery game.
- $2.04 billion – Nov. 7, 2022; California.
- $1.586 billion – Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida, Tennessee.
- $768.4 million – Mar. 27, 2019; Wisconsin.
- $758.7 million – Aug. 23, 2017; Massachusetts.
- $754.6 million – Feb. 6, 2023; Washington.
- $731.1 million – Jan. 20, 2021; Maryland.
- $699.8 million – Oct. 4, 2021; California.
- $687.8 million – Oct. 27, 2018; Iowa, New York.
- $632.6 million – Jan. 5, 2022; California, Wisconsin.
- $590.5 million – May 18, 2013; Florida.
Largest lottery prizes in US history
Here are the largest lottery prizes in U.S. history, including Mega Millions.
- $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: Won in California.
- $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, and Tennessee.
- $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina.
- $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023: Won in Maine.
- $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois.
- $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan.
- $768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin.
- $758.7 million, Powerball, Aug. 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts.
- $754.6 million, Powerball, Feb. 6, 2023; Won in Washington.
- $730 million, Powerball, Jan. 20, 2021: Won in Maryland.
Contributing: Wyatte Grantham-Philips, USA TODAY; Adam Beam, The Associated Press
Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.