Man Breaks Record, Wins Over N921bn Lottery Jackpot With $2, but Hides for 3 Months Before Receiving Price
- A man in the US became an overnight billion after winning a lottery game worth $2 billion(N921bn) but waited for three months to reveal his identity
- His jackpot is considered the highest ever and has been recognised by the Guinness Book of Record
- However, he won't be getting the whole money as the game company gave him the option to wait or take part of the money
Edwin Castro, a California resident, has been unveiled as the winner of the largest jackpot in a national lottery.
Castro was announced as the sole winner of the record-breaking $2.05 billion (N921.1 billion) prize in November 2022.
He won the jackpot after buying a $2(N921) Powerball ticket from Joe's Service Center in Altadena, California.
Source: Facebook
In November 2022, Castro was announced the winner after overcoming the odds of 1 in 292.2 million.
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However, it took him until February 2022 (three months later) to publicly accept his winning reward.
Guinness World Records also reported that the store owner, Joe Chahayed, also received a $1 million (£826,000) prize for selling the winning ticket.
Twist to Castro's happy moment
Despite winning over $2 billion, Castro doesn’t quite qualify for billionaire status.
Reports have it that Castro will not be getting the total $2 billion because he chose to receive his winnings as a single reduced lump sum of $997.6 million (£872 million) instead of receiving it in instalments over 29 years.
Additionally, his winnings are subject to federal and jurisdictional taxes.
Castro's statement announcing his winnings
After receiving his money, Castro released a statement:
“As someone who received the rewards of being educated in the California public education system, it’s gratifying to hear that as a result of my win, the California school system greatly benefits as well.”
"He doesn't deserve N72m," Lotto firm explains decision not to pay jackpot winner
In another report, a lottery firm in Nigeria, Green Lotto, has responded to criticism for failing to pay a Nigerian businessman N72.2 million winning claim.
The man dragged the lottery company and its agents to court over its refusal to pay him.
Green lotto has an interest in paying, but only if the businessman can prove he was not involved in fraud to the court.
Source: Legit.ng
