$188.9 Million Powerball: Ticket Winner From Arizona Claims June 3 Draw Prize Money

We’re pretty sure you will recall the $188.9 million Powerball jackpot that was hit in Arizona on the June 3 drawing. Back then, the Inquisitr had asked whether you happened to be the lucky guy/girl who won the booty. Well, 13 days after the draw, the lucky winner of the jackpot has come forward and claimed the prize. According to an ABC News report, Arizona Lottery officials have confirmed that the $188.9 million Powerball prize money has been claimed by an unnamed winner. The Powerball prize money was claimed well within the 180-day time period that is given to the winner to claim the money.

The report added that the Powerball winner did not wish to be identified. In fact, no details regarding the person’s gender, age, or hometown have been released by lottery officials.

Earlier this year, a new bill passed by lawmakers across the United States gave lottery winners the option to have their identities kept under wraps for a period of 90 days after they claim their prize money. The Powerball winner in this case seems to have used the rights granted to him by the same legislation to have his identity protected. That said, the law would only come to effect starting July 3, 2015.

At this point, it remains unclear if he/she took a lump sum payment of around $120 million (before federal taxes) or wished to have the money delivered in annual payments. In case the winner chose to have the money paid annually, they will be issued yearly checks of $6.2 million, before taxes.

Like earlier explained on the Inquisitr, you will get to keep more of the prize money in case you turn out to be resident of California, Delaware, Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming. These nine states do not have state tax on lottery winnings. If you are a Puerto Rican, you get to keep even more of the Powerball prize money. The only thing you pay the government a special tax of between 5 and 20 percent of the total jackpot amount.

[Image Via FloggerGolf]