During the most recent, billion-dollar Powerball jackpot run, Bannock County retailers actually sold three, $150,000 winning tickets in back-to-back draws on Saturday, October 7 and again on Monday, October 9. The first person to claim their prize was Blackfoot resident, Austin Stewart.

Austin is like many Idahoans, hard-working and family focused. And being October, getting ready for deer hunting season.

“Finances are pretty tight these days, so I kinda felt guilty buying the ticket for Monday night. But I’m glad I did,” said Austin when he claimed his prize  at Lottery offices in Boise later that week. “I was so excited for my deer hunting trip, I didn’t check the ticket until I got back last night. I didn’t believe it. I took it to the store to have them check it, too. They said I had to come to Boise. I couldn’t sleep all night.”

He and his family arrived first thing to claim his prize, $150,000 from matching four numbers and the Powerball. Like all tickets in Idaho, Austin’s ticket included the PowerPlay feature which multiplied his winnings from $50,000 up to $150,000.

“I’m trying not to think that I was only one number away from winning $1.5 billion. But this is incredible and just what the family needed,” he added with a wide grin.

A father with a newborn, he said the family planned to get a new roof for their house before winter and then save the rest.

Congratulations, Austin, on a great win for you and the family!

As this jackpot run on Powerball came to a close, the State of Idaho really benefitted. Over the entire run, Idaho schools and the State’s buildings will have earned approximately $6.1 million just from Powerball sales, including $633,000 from the final draw on October 11, 2023. That makes Idaho the real winner!