Kentucky becomes third state to sell $10M Powerball Double Play top prize winning ticket

A resident of Kentucky has won the $10 million top prize from the Powerball Double Play drawing held on June 24th. The state becomes the third jurisdiction in the US to sell the Powerball Double Play top prize winning ticket.

The fortunate player, a regular lottery participant, recounted their experience to Kentucky Lottery officials. They described themselves as a "creature of habit," often purchasing tickets at a local retailer before heading to work. 

About four months ago, the winner noticed an option on the Lottery vending machine to add the Double Play feature to their Powerball tickets. Initially hesitant, they decided to give it a try, a decision that ultimately led to their substantial win.

The morning following the drawing, the winner checked the results on their phone and discovered that someone had won the Powerball with Double Play. Upon comparing the numbers, the realization of their win began to sink in. "I sat there for about 10 minutes looking at the numbers and looking at my ticket and it was right. I was overwhelmed and excited. Now I can retire," they shared.

The winning numbers for the June 24th drawing were 1 – 31 – 33 – 54 – 60, with the Powerball number 26. The ticket matched all five white balls and the Powerball in the Double Play drawing, securing the $10 million prize. After taking time to seek financial and legal advice, the winner opted for a lump sum payout, walking away with $7.2 million after taxes.

Expressing gratitude and offering advice to fellow players, the winner encouraged others to consider the Double Play option, saying: “Buy Double Play, you have better chances of winning.”

Kentucky Lottery President and CEO Mary Harville stated: “We are so excited about this $10 million win, both for our player and for longtime retailer Crestwood Circle K. This winning experience sends a great message to our players: you can win a life-changing $10 million top prize with Double Play!”

This victory marks only the fourth time that a Powerball Double Play top prize has been won since the feature was introduced in 2021. Previous winners include one in Maryland (2021) and two in Florida (2022).

The Kentucky Lottery added the Double Play feature for players at retail in November 2023. It became available for purchase online earlier this year.

The winning ticket was purchased at the Circle K store located off Highway 22 in Crestwood, Kentucky. The store received a $100,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. “We couldn’t be happier that one of our valued customers has won such a big prize of $10 million after buying a Powerball Double Play ticket in our Crestwood area store,” said Gayle Hughes, Circle K Regional Director of Operations.

The Kentucky Lottery continues to make an impact on the state, with more than $5 billion in proceeds funding college scholarships and grants since 1999. In 2024 alone, the Kentucky Lottery has paid out over $1.5 billion in prizes, further contributing to educational opportunities across the state.