DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Oops.
Early this morning, the Massachusetts State Lottery announced on Twitter that the winning Powerball ticket — the largest grand prize won by a single lottery ticket in U.S. history — was sold at the Handy Variety convenience store in Watertown.
But at 7:50 this morning, the Gazette received a press release from Christian Teja, director of communications for the Massachusetts State Lottery, titled “CORRECTION.”
The release said, “The jackpot winning ticket in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing was sold at the Pride Station & Store location at 27 Montgomery St. in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
“It was initially stated that the jackpot winning ticket was sold at Handy Variety, 95 Common St. in Watertown, and that a $1 million prize winning ticket was sold at the Pride Station & Store. Handy Variety sold a $1 million prize winning ticket.
“ As initially stated, Sandy’s Variety, located at 378 Washington St. in Dorchester, also sold a $1 million prize winning ticket.”
Got that?
Earlier, Powerball Product Group Chair Charlie McIntyre said the $758.7 million jackpot claimed by a ticket sold in Massachusetts is the largest grand prize won by a single lottery ticket in U.S. history.
In a statement early Thursday, McIntyre also said six other tickets won $2 million apiece, and 34 more are worth $1 million.
The jackpot is second only to a $1.6 billion prize won in January 2016.
The lucky numbers for last night’s drawing (the second largest lottery prize in U.S. history) were 6, 7, 16, 23 and 26, and the Powerball number was 4.
The $700 million prize reflects the annuity option, paid over 29 years. A winner who wants cash would receive $443.3 million, minus federal and state taxes that generally eat up more than 30 percent of winnings.
Powerball is played in 44 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Odds of winning the jackpot are one in 292.2 million.
Gazette staff contributed to this report.