An “ecstatic” lottery winner has won the £1.67billion Powerball reward in the largest lottery payout ever. Officials from the California Lottery disclosed on Tuesday that Edwin Castro had won the record-breaking $2.04billion rollover amount back in November. The proceeds from ticket sales gathered in the months before the draw will go to California schools, totalling more than £128million, according to the New York Times.
Joe Chahayed, the owner of Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, received an £822,000 bonus for selling him the winning ticket.
Mr Castro, who bought the ticket at Joe’s Service Center, was the sole winner of the prize, despite odds of approximately one in 292.2million.
He declined invitations to press interviews and instead said in a statement that he was “shocked and estatic” to have won the lottery.
The lottery winner added: “As someone who received the rewards of being educated in the California public education system. It’s gratifying to hear that as a result of my win, the California school system greatly benefits as well.”
Mr Castro chose a one-time lump sum payment of £821.61million over receiving the full amount of his win in multiple installments over 30 years, according to lottery officials.
California lottery officials rejoiced at being able to share the name of the winner.
Carolyn Becker, a spokeswoman for the California Lottery, reportedly said: “We get to celebrate a real human today. Although he would like to remain private, we’re very excited to announce a winner and we’re so pleased that he’s particularly supportive of our mission.”
The proceeds from ticket sales gathered in the months before the draw will go to California schools, totalling more than £128.48million.
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