$94M Powerball ticket sold in Malta

Sole winner, who’s yet to step forward, is state’s 1st 2020 jackpot champ

Check your ticket if you bought a Powerball ticket at Minogue’s Beverage on Route 9.

New York State Lottery says the single winning ticket for last night’s $94 million drawing was sold at the 2421 Route 9 store.

The winning numbers are: 10, 17, 31, 51, 53 and the Powerball is 1.

The ticket holder isn’t the only one who stands to gain money: Minogue’s will receive a $10,000 commission for selling the winning ticket.

The discovery that a local person may have won the massive jackpot was the talk of the community, but no one as yet had heard rumors about who possessed the winning ticket.

Chris Pehl, the merchandiser for Minogue’s Beverage, said he got texts from friends asking if he’d bought a ticket recently.

“Unfortunately, I don’t play the lottery,” Pehl said. “But this whole thing is pretty surreal.”

The store has sold several tickets in the past for smaller prizes, Pehl said. The highest one he can recall was somewhere around $10,000. But nothing has ever come close to the ticket they sold on Wednesday that is worth “an unworldly amount of money.”

Despite the business’ newfound fame as a location where an instant millionaire was created, the beverage center was quiet Thursday morning. Still, those working there expected it would inspire future ticket purchases.

“We might see a little bump in business with people trying to buy their tickets here,” Pehl said.

State lottery officials say the winner has not come forward.

Often, the holders of winning tickets consult lawyers and financial advisors before approaching the New York State Lottery to claim the prize.

“Usually, it takes time,” Lottery spokesman Brad Maione said.

Wednesday’s winning ticket was the first Powerball jackpot winner in the state since last September.

The lottery has a studio in its headquarters in Schenectady where past lottery winners have held news conferences. The coronavirus, with its social distancing rules, will require the agency to reconsider the way it handles such gatherings.

Even if a winner opts against a public event, the state does not allow lottery winners to remain anonymous. However, some winners in recent years have done things like create limited liability corporations to try to conceal their identities.

Wednesday’s winning ticket was the first Powerball jackpot winner in the state since last September.

Paul Buckowski / Times Union A customer bought the winning ticket from Minogue’s Beverage in Malta. Wednesday’s Powerball drawing meant a $94 million windfall for the lucky winner, and a $10,000 commission for the store that sold the ticket.

Photos by Paul Buckowski / times union Jeff decker, an employee at minogue’s Beverage, prints out a lottery ticket for a customer on thursday in malta. Someone purchased the winning ticket to Wednesday’s Powerball drawing at his store. it’s not uncommon for winners to consult a financial advisor or tax lawyer before coming forward to claim their jackpots.

minogue’s Beverage employee Jeff decker holds a printout of winning Powerball numbers on thurs. in malta. numbers from Wed.’s drawing are circled. the jackpot is $94 million.