One lucky person in New Jersey is $847 million richer. A Powerball player in the Garden State hit the jackpot last night, Oct. 4. It is the 9th largest Powerball prize in the history of the game.
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Who Won the $847 Million Powerball Jackpot Last Night?
According to the New York Post, this is the first time someone has taken home the Powerball jackpot in nearly two months. The outlet also reports that it was the seventh time in 2026 that the game's largest prize has been won.
The winner, who remains unidentified, can choose between having the jackpot fully paid out over time or a one-time cash payment of $363.1 million.
Under New Jersey law, residents can remain anonymous indefinitely.
It's also the first time since June 10, 2024, that someone in New Jersey has won the Powerball jackpot. That anonymous player claimed $222.6 million. Overall, the Powerball has had 12 winners in the Garden State since it began in 1992.
The jackpot was last won on Aug. 12 in Quincy, Illinois. The winner purchased a $2 Quick Pick ticket at a Hy-Vee. The winner chose a lump-sum payment of $450.5 million, after taking a month to claim the jackpot.
"I never could have imagined that a $2 purchase would lead to a $1.04 billion jackpot," the winner said at the time. "This is truly a blessing. I'm incredibly grateful for this unexpected and extraordinary opportunity."
The odds of hitting the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338.
The Winner Will Have One Large Tax Bill
Whether the winner chooses to be paid over time or take the lump-sum payout, they will still receive a large bill from the IRS.
According to the state lottery, the winner must pay 24% of the winnings to the federal government. They will also owe another 8% to the state of New Jersey because the winnings exceed $500,000.
