$1 million Powerball winner purchased in Round Lake
Marnia Chapai didn't have a lucky Powerball lottery ticket, but she's excited nonetheless because a $1 million winner came from the gasoline station she manages in Round Lake.
“It's a great feeling knowing a winner came out of this store,” Chapai said during a break Thursday at Round Lake BP, 320 W. Nippersink Road near the village's downtown.
Three tickets had all six winning numbers in Wednesday night's drawing for a $448 million Powerball jackpot, overseen by the Multi-State Lottery Association. Those winners — two from New Jersey and one from Minnesota — will split the big prize.
Lesser prizes included $1 million Match 5 winners. Illinois Lottery spokesman Mike Lang said the state's two $1 million tickets were sold at the BP in Round Lake and at Casey's General Store in downstate Canton.
Chapai said it was the first big winner sold in the five years she's worked at the BP. She said some customers who visited the station were curious about the winner's identity.
Lang said the Round Lake winner had yet to step forward Thursday. He said a $10,000 commission, or 1 percent of the $1 million winning ticket, has been electronically transferred into the BP owner's bank account.
Natalio Balbuena of Round Lake was among the visitors to the BP who heard about the $1 million ticket, which was a quick pick with computer-selected numbers. Balbuena said he'd want to buy his next lottery tickets there.
“Of course, yes, only under the condition that I get the $1 million,” Balbuena said jokingly.
Lang said the BP should receive “a little bump” in lottery ticket business as it becomes known a $1 million winner was purchased there.