Gretna Couple Claims Powerball Jackpot

December 17, 2013 – Today, Gov. Dave Heineman presented David and Erica Harrig of Gretna a temporary award check for $61.45 million dollars from the Nebraska Lottery Powerball jackpot. The Gretna couple had one of two winning tickets in the nation for last week's $122.9 million Powerball jackpot.

“Christmas came early for the Harrig family,” said Gov. Heineman. “I am very happy for David and Erica, and I wish them all the best this holiday season.”

David Harrig purchased the winning ticket at Speedee Mart in Gretna on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 1:34 p.m. CT. The ticket matched all six numbers from the Dec. 11 Powerball drawing: 1, 10, 13, 18, 19 and Powerball 27. A second jackpot winning ticket was sold in Massachusetts, so the Harrig’s share of the prize is split with the Massachusetts’s winner, bringing the Harrig’s prize to $61.45 million paid out annually over 29 years, or $34.18 million if they select the lump sum cash option.

This is the 10th Powerball jackpot won in Nebraska since the Nebraska Lottery began offering Powerball in 1994. The $61.45 million prize is the second highest Powerball to be awarded in Nebraska. The last time a Powerball jackpot was won in Nebraska occurred in February 2006 when a group of eight coworkers at a ConAgra Foods plant in Lincoln split a $365 million jackpot. That was the largest Powerball prize to be awarded in Nebraska.

In addition to providing millions of dollars for prizes, sales of Nebraska Lottery tickets help support good causes across the state. The Nebraska Lottery has marked $2 billion in total sales since 1993, accounting for $499 million transferred to the state’s beneficiary fund. As of the last quarter of lottery sales, beneficiary funds to date are approximately: Education Innovation Fund, $153 million; Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund, $74 million; Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, $209 million; Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund, $27 million; and Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, $12 million.

In Fiscal Year 2012-2013, the state collected more than $1 million in state income taxes from prize winnings. The winnings from the Harrig’s ticket will also generate Nebraska tax revenue of $1.7 on the cash option or $3 million on annuity payments.

The Nebraska Lottery is housed within the Nebraska Department of Revenue. Kim Conroy, Nebraska Tax Commissioner, said, “We all enjoy talking about multi-million-dollar jackpots, but a more important figure is the amount of money the Lottery has generated for its beneficiary funds. Almost a half a billion dollars has been raised for a number of good causes including the environment, education and the Nebraska State Fair.”

Jim Haynes, Nebraska Lottery Director, said, “Today is an extremely exciting day for the Harrig family and for the Nebraska Lottery. We wish David and Erica all the best as they begin an amazing adventure as Nebraska’s newest millionaires.”

Powerball jackpot winners have two options for collecting their payment: 30 annuity payments taken over a 29-year period or one cash payment at present value. Winners can chose a payment option up to 60 days after they claim the prize. The annuity option provides annual payments that increase each year. Once winners file the appropriate paperwork to indicate which option they choose, payments are made as electronic transfers.