At present, 45 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico offer Powerball lottery gaming as part of its popular lottery game series with progressive jackpots that grow every time no winner emerges. But not all states share equally in terms of luck when it comes to having Powerball jackpot winners; we’ve outlined here five states with the most Jackpot winners as well as what you need to know when it comes time to playing this popular game in each location.
Indiana ranks first among states for Powerball winners since 1992 when the game launched. Indiana boasts 39 winners – more than 10% – since then; Missouri follows close behind with 31 winners or over 8%. Missouri also produced large winners like Dearborn couple who shared half of $587 Million jackpot win back in 2012. Nebraska, meanwhile, also saw many big winners like Mavis Wanczyk who banked her $758 Million win back in August 2017. She recently left her job at Springfield medical center and now resides secluded mountaintop home where she donates back into her community as she can.
Colorado is another lucky Powerball state, boasting more than 20 winners such as Judy Finchum from Clifton who took home $133 Million! Colorado Lottery uses profits from lottery sales to support several charity funds including Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund, Conservation Trust Fund and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Furthermore, one unique aspect of Colorado is offering Double Play option to increase winning chances even further.
Playing in a lucky state may come with its own set of unique tax considerations; depending on where you reside and which state’s lottery laws you come under. Winnings from California’s lotteries will be taxed both federally and at state levels; for Florida, South Dakota, Texas and Washington winnings only pay federal income taxes while those in other states and territories only face state income tax obligations.
Four states remain without ever seeing a Powerball jackpot winner: Maine, North Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming do not participate due to not having state lotteries which make participating impossible.
Recently, lawmakers have proposed creating state lotteries as a way to increase revenue for public services; however, none have passed the legislative process in their state of origin. As oil prices drop and economies face other difficulties, states are struggling with finding additional revenue-generation strategies.
Even with these challenges, some states are working towards making Powerball more accessible. Idaho, for instance, is taking advantage of Utah’s absence by encouraging its residents to travel across and purchase tickets – an innovative solution to an obstacle which could easily derail any lottery proposal proposal. Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii and Nevada remain holdout states.