27 coworkers strike $1 million Powerball prize after reinvesting $8 win
INDEPENDENCE, OH — A group of 27 coworkers turned a modest $8 lottery win into a $1 million jackpot after pooling their money to buy a single $10 Powerball ticket — and hitting five of the six numbers in the December 20 drawing.
The group, who regularly play together at their workplace, initially won $8 in the December 17 Powerball drawing. They used that small prize to buy a single ticket for the next drawing on Saturday, December 20. That ticket matched all five white balls — 4, 5, 28, 52, 69 — missing only the Powerball number, 20.
That combination earned them the game’s $1 million second-tier prize. The odds of matching five white balls without the Powerball are 1 in 11,688,054.
They did not add the Power Play option, which would have doubled their prize.
After required federal and state tax withholdings totaling 26.75%, the group will take home $732,500, or approximately $27,129 each before any additional personal taxes. The winning ticket was purchased at Speedway #3671 located at 103 East Avenue in Tallmadge.
One of the winners joked that it might have been for the best that they didn’t hit the $1.25 billion jackpot — because they may have all quit their jobs on the spot.
Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.
Since 1974, the Ohio Lottery has contributed more than $34 billion to education across the state.
Key Points
• 27 coworkers from Independence, OH won $1 million in the December 20 Powerball drawing
• The group reinvested an $8 win into a single $10 ticket that matched five numbers
• Each member will receive a portion of the $732,500 after taxes
