lucky buy
Walmart shopper lands cash windfall after ‘random’ in-store purchase – he even hid item before discovering true value
The U.S. Sun breaks down the options facing lottery players who scoop life-changing amounts
A WALMART shopper scooped thousands of dollars after buying just one item in the store.
Joseph Riley, from Maryland, came up trumps after testing their luck on the Powerball lottery.
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He bought a $10 quick-pick ticket ahead of the April 6 draw and bagged a $50,000 prize, per The Maryland Lottery.
Joseph put the ticket in a safe place and checked his numbers after a player scooped the jackpot in Oregon.
And, three players from Maryland had matched four numbers and the Powerball.
“I saw I matched four white balls and the Powerball and I got excited,” he said.
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Joseph admitted to checking his numbers multiple times just to ensure he was right.
He and his wife Sylvia only play Mega Millions and Powerball when the jackpot stands at least $250 million.
The pair planned to spend their winnings on a vacation and they wanted to help their family.
Powerball players must defy the odds of one in around 913,000 if they are to scoop a $50,000 prize.
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The sum is given to those who match four numbers and the Powerball.
The prizes in the game range from $4 to the jackpot prize.
Anonymous Walmart shopper becomes instant multi-millionaire after a lucky purchase in-store – chances were slim to none
Gamblers must defy the odds of one in 292 million to scoop the jackpot.
The Powerball jackpot stands at $41 million while the cash value is $19.4 million after no player won the top prize on July 8.
It comes just days after a player in Ohio bought a $138 million winning ticket.
The jackpot winner can receive their prize as a lump sum or in graduated payments over decades, known as the annuity option.
Top lottery winners in the US
Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.
- Edwin Castro - $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
- Theodorus Struyck - $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
- Unknown winner - $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
- Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida - $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
- Unknown winner - $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
- Unknown winner - he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden - $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
- Unknown winner - $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
- Cheng and Duanpen Saephan, and Laiza Liem Chao - $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
- Yanira Alvarez - $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
- Wolverine FLL Lottery Club - $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
- Unknown winner - $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.
Just like Joseph, the gambler purchased it at a Walmart supercenter.
The player put all their trust in the machine as their numbers were randomly selected.
Americans in 45 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands can play the Powerball.
Draws take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
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Meanwhile, the Mega Millions jackpot is an estimated $162 million after no player on Friday scooped the prize.
Lottery officials estimate there is a one in 302.6 million chance of winning the prize.
Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?
Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?
The two payout methods can impact how much money you get from your prize.
Annuities pay out slowly in increments, often over 30 years.
Lump sums pay all at once but in a smaller amount, as taxes are withheld in one go. That means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam right away. Many states tax winnings as well.
Annuities can provide winners time to set up the financial infrastructure required to take in a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the benefit of being taxed only once.
Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts do not adjust with the value of a dollar. That means that you'll likely be getting less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.
Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Experts have varying opinions on whether to take the lump sum or take the annuity.