The Texas Lotto ticketholder who apparently won the $70 million jackpot over the Super Bowl weekend laid claim to the prize Monday, the state lottery commission reported.
"We did get a visit from somebody who said they have the winning ticket, and the ticket has passed our first stage of review, which is called the initial inquiry," said Karen Kalergis, an agency spokeswoman.
The winner has 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim the jackpot. The ticket was purchased at the Corner Stop, 11580 Chimney Rock in Houston.
The ticket-holder will receive $42,801,674, before taxes, if he or she decides to go with the cash-value option.
"The claimant is seeking legal advice and then will get back to us to arrange the time they actually want to bring the ticket to Austin," Kalergis said.
Until then, the lottery commission is keeping the winner's name close to the vest.
"I can't tell you anything about the winner," Kalergis said. "All I can tell you is, someone came to lottery headquarters today."
Corner Stop owner Javed Panjwani will receive $500,000 for selling the sole winning ticket Saturday. The retailer bonus is 1 percent of the jackpot, up to $500,000.
Panjwani said Monday that the winner had not fessed up to anything, as of yet.
"I have no idea," he said of the winner's identity. "I just hope it's someone who is a regular shopper, that's all."
The commission did say that whoever bought the winning ticket chose a "quick pick," letting the machine in Panjwani's shop choose the numbers.
The last big Lotto jackpot won in Houston was $37 million in June.
TX requires the cash/annuity choice when the ticket is BOUGHT.
BR
Hi everyone,I feel so good whenever someone win big.Hope to hit very big soon.
I hope it's a New England Patriots fan who was there for the Super Bowl.
Winning $70 million is even better than winning 2 Super Bowls in 3 years!