An anonymous group that nicknamed themselves “The Power Pack” has stepped forward to claim the largest prize in the Maryland Lottery’s history, reports AP. The Maryland Lottery announced on May 26, 2021 that the winners of the $731.1 million Powerball jackpot have come forward four months after the winning ticket was purchased. This happened on Jan. 20 at Coney Market in Lonaconing, a small town in Western Maryland.

 

Maryland Lottery, for its part, announces that the undisclosed winners, who nicknamed themselves “The Power Pack,” have claimed the prize, choosing the $546.8 million lump sum cash option (approximately $366.6 million after federal and state taxes).

 

The winner who purchased the ticket checked it about a half dozen times before stating in disbelief to the rest of the "Power Pack", “This can’t be right, I’m going to work.” The single Quick-Pick ticket was the only one the "Power Pack" purchased for the Jan. 20 Powerball drawing.

 

The "Power Pack" told Lottery officials they have no plans to change their lifestyles. They would like to invest the money to take care of their families and positively impact their communities “for generations to come.”

 

Although it took the winners four months after the drawing to come forward, they still had plenty of time. The deadline to claim was July 21. Maryland Lottery winners have 182 days after the drawing date to claim prizes.

 

The $731.1 million jackpot was the fourth-largest in Powerball history and sixth-largest in U.S. lottery history.  It is by far the largest prize in the Maryland Lottery’s history, easily outdistancing the $218.6 million share of a $656 million Mega Millions jackpot claimed anonymously by "The Three Amigos" in the March 30, 2012 drawing.

 

“We are thrilled that the jackpot has been claimed, and we couldn’t be happier for the winners,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Managing Director of Communications Carole Gentry. “The prize generated nearly $49 million in tax revenue for the state, so everyone in Maryland wins.”

 

The Jan. 20 drawing marked Maryland’s first Powerball win since 2011 and third overall. The previous two Powerball jackpot prizes in the state were $128.8 million in December 2011 (Elkton, Cecil County) and $108.8 million in September 2011 (Abingdon, Harford County).

 

Earlier this year, Coney Market received a $100,000 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.

 

In the photo: The Maryland Lottery’s Bryan Kelly, wearing the Powerball mascot costume.