Powerball winner in Illinois scoops $1 billion jackpot

Published: 05:55, 13 August 2026 | Updated: 06:21, 13 August 2026 A lucky Powerball player in Illinois has won a $1.04 billion jackpot following Wednesday night's draw. The grand prize is the largest US jackpot so far this year. The unidentified winner can now choose between the massive sum or a one-time $450.5 million cash payout before taxes. The winning ticket, matching all six numbers, was sold at Hy-Vee Gas Fresh & Fast in Quincy, according to the state lottery. The odds of matching all six numbers are one in 292,201,338.  'Congratulations to our newest Powerball jackpot winner in Illinois,' Powerball Chairman Stephen Durrell said in a statement. 'As participation grows across markets, players are helping fuel larger jackpots and create even greater excitement for the game.'  No details have been released on the winner's identity as of yet. But the new billionaire will now be subject to an automatic 24 percent withholding tax, an additional 13 percent in federal taxes and a 4.95 percent tax withholdings from Illinois.  A lucky Powerball player in Illinois has won a $1.04 billion jackpot Another big winner in Massachusetts also scored a $2 million payday with Match 5, meaning they matched all five white balls while playing the Power Play option. Four ticket holders in Arizona, California, Florida and North Carolina also won $1 million.  The winning numbers were 4, 26, 66, 67, 69 and Powerball 9. The win on Wednesday marked the first Powerball jackpot  since tickets were rolled out in the UK last month.  The last grand prize was hit when ticket holders in Texas and Florida decided to split $20 million payout on May 2. As of yet, nobody in the UK has won any of the prizes.