One lucky winner takes home Powerball jackpot

GlobalPost

A single winner in Florida has beaten incredible odds and will take home the entire $590.5 million Powerball jackpot.

The lucky ticket was sold at a Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills, Fla., outside of Tampa, according to Florida Lottery executive Cindy O'Connell.

"This would be the sixth Florida Powerball winner and right now, it's the sole winner of the largest ever Powerball jackpot," O'Connell told the Associated Press.

"We're delighted right now that we have the sole winner."

Florida has had more than its share of luck when it comes to Powerball. It's produced more jackpot winners than any other state.

The lone winner defied some seriously tough odds to take home the prize. Lottery officials put the chance of winning at 1 in 175.2 million.

But that didn't stop Americans from lining up at convenience stores and gas stations to pick up their $2 chance to become an overnight multi-millionaire.

"As long as the odds are 1 in anything, I'm in," marketing professional Becky Arreaga told Reuters. "I truly believe I could be the one."

The jackpot of the 43-state lottery was originally expected to surpass $600 million - the second highest ever - but was later revised down to a little over $590 million.

Lottery officials did not say if the ticket had been claimed yet but once the lucky person claims their prize, the will have the option to take home one lump sum of roughly $377 million.

Then about half of that will go to federal and state taxes.

More from GlobalPost: Taxes take a big bite out of lottery winnings

According to NBC News, "The very day you cash in your winning ticket you'll be hit with a withholding that is deducted immediately from your payout. Then, next April, you’ll pay whatever additional tax you owe based on the bracket you’re in after you add up all your other earnings"

Luckily for the winner, Florida does not charge any state tax on lottery earnings.

The winning Powerball numbers drawn late Saturday were 10, 13, 14, 22, 52 with Powerball number 11.

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