A lucky Californian has won a massive $527 million Powerball jackpot after Saturday night’s draw, marking only the second time this year the game’s top prize has been claimed.
The winning numbers were 7, 11, 21, 53, 61, with a red Powerball of 2. California Lottery officials confirmed the ticket was purchased at a 7-Eleven on North Euclid Street in Anaheim.
The odds of hitting the jackpot were an astonishing 1 in 292,201,338. The winner now faces a big decision: take the full amount in 30 annual payments or opt for a one-time lump sum of approximately $243.8 million before taxes.
As a reward for selling the winning ticket, the Anaheim 7-Eleven will receive a $1 million bonus.
Five other players across the U.S. matched all five white ball numbers and will each receive $1 million. Those tickets were sold in Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and two separate locations in Georgia.
Earlier this year, Abbas Shafii from Oregon became Powerball’s first jackpot winner of 2025, claiming a $328.5 million prize from a ticket purchased at a Fred Meyer store. He chose the lump sum payout, which was valued at $146.4 million before taxes.
The debate over whether to take a lump sum or annuity continues among experts. Jared James, creator of the lottery analytics site Lotto Edge, recommends annuity payments, saying they help winners manage pressure from financial requests.
Attorney Andrew Stoltmann agrees, noting that many winners are not prepared to handle large sums and often mismanage their windfall. He says about 90% of winners make the mistake of choosing the lump sum too quickly.
All Powerball prizes over $5,000 are subject to a mandatory 24% federal tax. Winners in most states, including California, may also owe state taxes—though California does not tax lottery winnings, providing a rare advantage for the new jackpot holder.
