The curtain fell on another headline-grabbing Powerball run on Dec. 20, when lottery officials posted the winning numbers for a drawing that carried an estimated $1.5 billion top prize.
Millions of Americans checked tickets, dreams and dinner plans as the drawing aired; among the early pieces of news was a large secondary winner in California. A prize-winning ticket worth $2.3 million was sold at Wright's Market in Oxnard, the California Lottery confirmed, reminding players that even when the jackpot dominates headlines, big payouts can — and often do — hide in the smaller prize tiers.
What happened in the Dec. 20 drawing
Lottery officials released the official numbers after the drawing. The weekend’s estimate for the jackpot had been widely reported as about $1.5 billion, a sum that attracts heavy ticket sales and extra attention across the country. Local lottery offices and retailers also posted updates about significant non-jackpot winners — like the Oxnard ticket — that often translate into life-changing money for smaller groups of players.
Precise details about whether the jackpot was claimed immediately, whether there were multiple big winners or how the annuity-versus-lump-sum decision will play out were being confirmed by state lottery officials after the drawing. Those outcomes can take hours or days to finalize as jurisdictions verify tickets and winners come forward.
If you think you won: practical next steps
If your ticket matched enough numbers to take home a prize, here are sensible first moves:
- Sign the back of the ticket right away and store it somewhere safe. That simple step protects ownership.
- Check the claim instructions for the state where the ticket was purchased — claim rules, filing windows and paperwork vary. Some states require winners to claim within months; others have longer deadlines.
- Don’t broadcast your identity on social media. Consider bringing a trusted friend or advisor when you claim.
- Before making any big public statements or financial moves, consult a lawyer and a tax professional who have lottery-claim experience. Every state treats lottery taxes and options (lump sum vs. annuity) differently, and federal taxes apply.
Why the smaller winners matter
When the top prize balloons into the hundreds of millions or billions, people often forget that a large share of lottery dollars is paid out through the lower prize tiers. A $2.3 million ticket is a life-altering prize, even though it sits far below a headline-grabbing jackpot. Retailers that sell big winners sometimes get a boost in local foot traffic and publicity; Wright's Market in Oxnard will likely see customers asking about the lucky ticket for weeks.
A note on odds and expectations
Big jackpots increase ticket sales, but they don’t change the math: the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot remain astronomically long. Treat play as entertainment, not an investment. If you do win, planning matters — taxes, lifestyle changes and long-term management benefit from experienced advisors.
If you want official confirmation or to see the exact numbers and claim instructions, check your state lottery’s website or contact your local lottery office directly.