Powerball fever has been rampant across Louisiana and the nation for the past several weeks. Not only have Powerball players in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans been focusing on that game, but the Mega Millions lottery game just recently got a big jackpot winner too. So it comes as no surprise that when Saturday's Powerball jackpot reached 1.326 billion dollars there was a lot of attention focused on the result.

USA Mega via YouTube
USA Mega via YouTube
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Why Was the Powerball Drawing Delayed on Saturday?

It was a rules issue that pushed back the drawing in the multi-state lottery game by about three hours. The drawing normal is held at 10 p.m. Louisiana time. But, because there was an issue in verifying tickets the drawing did not go off until almost 1 a.m. Sunday morning Louisiana time. When the ping pong balls stopped bouncing it was determined that one ticket sold for Saturday's game matched the numbers needed to claim the top prize of more than $1.3 billion.

We do know the big jackpot winner was sold in Portland Oregon. That is about all that we know. The winner has not come forward but here in Louisiana we now know a lot more about the two big money winning tickets that were sold in The Boot for Saturday's game.

4 Click on Detroit Local 4 WDIV via YouTube
4 Click on Detroit Local 4 WDIV via YouTube
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Two Winning Powerball Tickets Worth $50,000 Sold in Louisiana

There were two tickets sold in Louisiana that came dangerously close to winning a share of the $1.326 billion top prize. Both Louisiana tickets matched four of the five white ball numbers and the Powerball. If they had matched just one more number the difference in prize money would be astronomical.

The Louisiana Lottery has confirmed that one of the $50,000 winners was sold in New Orleans at Lakeview Discount on Harrison Avenue. The other $50,000 winner was sold in the Lafayette suburb of Youngsville. That $50,000 winner was purchased at Tobacco Stop #2 located at 1000 Youngsville Highway.

Google Maps/Google Streetview
Google Maps/Google Streetview
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In both cases, the ticket holder will need to sign the back of the ticket and contact the Louisiana Lottery regional office nearest them. From there they will receive instructions on how to secure their prize money.

Sharon McCuthcheon via Unsplash.com
Sharon McCuthcheon via Unsplash.com
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What is the Powerball Jackpot Now?

The Powerball drawing for Monday, April 8, 2024, will feature a top prize of $20 million. That is the annuity prize. If you win and want the lump sum payout you'd get $9.4 million before the tax man reached in for his cut. Assuming there are no delays in tonight's drawing it will go off at 10 p.m.

Please remember most lottery tickets purchased do not produce winning results. Only play with money you can afford to lose. If you feel you have a gambling issue please call and get help. 1-877-770-STOP (7867) is a free call that will connect you to a trained specialist who can help you with your gambling problems. Good Luck.

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Gallery Credit: Jude Walker