OLEAN, NY – The decision to turn a $2 Powerball purchase into a $3 Power Play put an extra $1,000,000 in the pocket of Cuba resident Nikki Briggs. The 43-year-old Olean Hospital employee matched the first five numbers drawn in the January 24 Powerball drawing, earning her a guaranteed $1,000,000 second prize. The extra dollar she spent on the optional Power Play feature automatically doubled her windfall, making her $2,000,000 richer.

“I always play the Power Play, but even so, this was a big surprise,” said Briggs, who calls herself a “periodic” Lottery player. “I only play when the jackpot gets big.” The winning numbers for the January 24 Powerball drawing for a jackpot of $235.2 million were 16 19 20 29 33 and Powerball 10.

Briggs purchased her $2,000,000-winning ticket from a Lottery vending machine as she exited the Kmart at 2801 W. State Street in Olean.  “I saw no one was at the Lottery machine so I got a few Quick Picks,” she said. Briggs checked her ticket the day after the drawing while grocery shopping. “I didn’t believe it was true. It’s hasn’t set in yet, but I’m very happy.”

Briggs will receive her prize in one lump sum payment of $2,000,000 before required withholdings. Her net payment will total $1,323,600. “I don’t have any real plans for the money,” said the new Lottery millionaire. “It’s nice knowing my financial future is a little more secure.”

The New York Lottery contributed $13,265,253.39 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Allegany County during fiscal year 2013-2014.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.17 billion in fiscal year 2013-2014 to help support education in New York State.  The Lottery’s contribution represents 15 percent of total state education aid to local school districts.

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education.  It takes into account both a school district’s size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of Lottery school funding.

About the New York State Gaming Commission

The New York State Gaming Commission regulates all aspects of gaming and gambling activity in the state, including horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering, class III Indian gaming, video lottery terminal facilities at race tracks, the state lottery and charitable gaming.