A Kentucky mother-son duo who regularly played the lottery stepped forward as the winners of the state’s largest Powerball jackpot, revealing the plan to use the funds to pay off their debts.
James Shannon Farthing says he purchased a $2 Powerball ticket from Clark’s Pump N Shop in Georgetown, KY., in anticipation of the $167.3 million prize on the April 26 drawing.
Farthing, a regular at the convenience store, learned of his new multi-million-dollar fortune from his mom, Linda Grizzle.
“I come in here all the time,” Farthing told WKYT. “I’m always buying [lottery tickets] ‘cause I’m like ‘somebody’s gotta win.’”
Grizzle called her son to inform him of the life-changing news and the two returned to the store to show off their lucky ticket.
“I would have never dreamed it; it hasn’t sunken in yet,” Grizzle said, according to the Kentucky Lottery.
The duo will have a choice of either the $167.3 million paid out over 30 annual installments or a one-time lump sum of $77.3 million.
Despite paying for the ticket, Farthing said he was splitting the winnings with his mother.
The two plan on using their winnings to help pay some bills.
“It’s going to be a good Mother’s Day,” Grizzle said. “This is going to pay off my debt.”
They are working with a financial adviser to choose the best option for the family, the lottery said.
Saturday’s win ended a 16-year drought for the commonwealth.
The last time a Powerball jackpot-winning ticket was sold in the Bluegrass State was on Dec. 11, 2010, when Muncie Meade claimed a more modest $19.12 million.
Meade opted for the one-time payment worth $6.6 million, according to WAVE.
Kentucky has won Powerball’s top prize 19 times, tying Wisconsin for the fifth most wins among all states.
Georgetown has now sold the two largest jackpots for the state.
The 40,000-person Lexington suburb was the main focus of the lottery when Rob Anderson Jr. won $128.6 million in the Dec. 26, 2009, drawing.
Anderson chose the cash option worth $63.5 million.
Kentucky Lottery President Mary Harville celebrated the state’s win that ended the generational struggle.
“Kentucky finally has a Powerball jackpot winner! And not just any Powerball jackpot prize, it is a record for Kentucky. It is $167.3 million,” Harville said.
Clark’s Pump N Shop will receive a $37,000 reward for selling the winning ticket.
“This is so exciting for the winners because the winners have won $167.3 million but also for the retailer. They are going to get a commission for selling that big winner,” she said. “And then, of course, the citizens, the people of the Commonwealth, everyone’s a winner.”
The Powerball jackpot reverted to its starting $20 million and sits at an estimated $44 million for the drawing on May 3.
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