A month after a winning ticket to a $221 million Powerball jackpot was sold in New Jersey, a winner has come forward to claim the prize.
New Jersey Lottery Executive Director James Carey announced Wednesday, July 10, 2024, that the holder of the winning Powerball jackpot ticket from June 10, 2024 drawing came forward to claim the prize - a whopping $221 million.
Officials said the lucky player -- who by state law can remain anonymous -- had the sole winning jackpot ticket and elected the cash option of $104.7 million.
"When they came to the Lottery for their claim meeting they were still trying to wrap their head around the win," New Jersey Lottery officials said. "They heard the jackpot discussed on the radio, but some of the reported facts did not match. However, something told them to check their ticket and they got the surprise of a lifetime. Their Quick Pick ticket was a match. They immediately called a close friend to share the news and the friend could not believe it."
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The lucky ticket was purchased at Preet Food Mart in Lindenwold, Camden County. The store received a $30,000 bonus check for selling the winning ticket.
The co-owners, husband and wife Tejinder Singh and Rajvinder Kaur Ghotra said they are planning to travel with the bonus money.
Tejinder Singh said during June 11 check presentation that he is "happy for this person and I'm also happy for myself too."
Store workers said the winner is a regular at the small business. The clerk who sold the ticket said the winner is a "nice guy."
Officials said this is the second largest jackpot won in New Jersey in 2024, behind the March 26, $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot that is still unclaimed.
Correction (July 11, 2024, 7:57 a.m.): This story has been updated to clarify that the winning ticket was sold in the June 10, 2024 Powerball draw.
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