A group of 17 people from Lake County, Indiana claimed a $9.7 million Hoosier Lottery jackpot on Tuesday.
They took the $5.2 million immediate cash option for the Jan. 31 jackpot. After taxes, each winner will receive about $219,000.
The county's previous lottery champ was Crown Point resident Landry McKee, who won $5 million in 1991.
After learning they won earlier this month, the group incorporated itself as Kenyon LLC and on Tuesday sent its attorney, Brian Popp, to Indianapolis to claim the prize.
"They're an average Joe family," said Popp of the Kenyon group, who range in age from 3 to 67. "Right now they're just going to take their time. These are working people. They're all looking out for one another. And while it's not enough money that they'll be set for life, it really helps out."
One member of the group is from Porter County, he said. The rest live in Lake County.
Popp said the winners plan to spend their prize on travel, paying off student loans and establishing trust funds for their children and grandchildren. All the adults are keeping their jobs.
Lottery spokesman Andrew Reed said that winners of large prizes often seek anonymity to maintain a sense of normalcy.
"A lot of folks don't want the notoriety," he said.
The winning ticket for the Jan. 31 drawing -- 4-30-34-36-44-48 -- was a $1 quick pick purchased at The Hen in Crown Point by a man known to employees only as "Jim." Hen owners Bill and Vicki Filter will receive a $100,000 bonus.
The Jan. 31 drawing also had 14 players match five of the six numbers to win $1,341 each, and 758 tickets match four numbers to win $49 apiece.
Despite their winnings, the Kenyon group will "absolutely" keep playing the lottery, Popp said.
When some of the winners were at lottery headquarters Tuesday, he said, "One of the people said, 'Hey, do you guys sell lottery tickets here?' "
The winning ticket was purchased at White Hen in Crown Point, Ind. The retailer will receive a $100,000 cash bonus.
Does anyone have an opinion about group lotto playing like this? I've heard some good and bad things about group play. For example, an office a friend worked at had a lotto pool. $1 US to play, and they would buy a block of tickets, all quick picks. There was no matching person to ticket, so no one person could claim a huge prize by stating that their dollar bought the ticket. So it was split equally when a small jackpot was won. But not everyone was happy with that. I tend to like the ideea but it certainly diminishes the prize. This is the opinion held by another colleague, who stated that he can go and spend the $5 or whatever, get the quickpicks and win the whole amount himself.
I favor group play. Most of my lottery purchases are as part of a group. Yes, it reduces the size of the prize. But I usually only play when the jackpot is large so dividing up a large jackpot is more than offset by the much large set of tickets that are played as a group.
I am in favor of group play. Actually I coordinate our office pool (currently 24 persons). As a coordinator you have to be strong and stick to a stern set of
rules. Any deviation from a defined set of rules will invite trouble if the group wins
any significant amount of money. Below is a simply set of instructions that we adhere to. Feel free to share this with others as it will eliminate any possible
legal action by those in a working environment who choose not to play.
MEGA MILLIONS
As a group, we will play the lotto when it reaches the range of 40 million and above.
$1 per person per drawing until someone hits the jackpot (drops below 40 million).
If you want to automatically include your dollar in the drawings, mark yes.
You will be notified when the group is playing and funds can be left with JM.
In her absence, see MJ.
If you do not want to automatically include your dollar, mark no and you will
not be included (it will be your responsibility to join the group in the future).
Photocopies of the quick pick tickets and results will be available
Does anyone have an opinion about group lotto playing like this? I've heard some good and bad things about group play. For example, an office a friend worked at had a lotto pool. $1 US to play, and they would buy a block of tickets, all quick picks. There was no matching person to ticket, so no one person could claim a huge prize by stating that their dollar bought the ticket. So it was split equally when a small jackpot was won. But not everyone was happy with that. I tend to like the ideea but it certainly diminishes the prize. This is the opinion held by another colleague, who stated that he can go and spend the $5 or whatever, get the quickpicks and win the whole amount himself.
I favor group play. Most of my lottery purchases are as part of a group. Yes, it reduces the size of the prize. But I usually only play when the jackpot is large so dividing up a large jackpot is more than offset by the much large set of tickets that are played as a group.
Good luck,
Jake
I am in favor of group play. Actually I coordinate our office pool (currently 24 persons). As a coordinator you have to be strong and stick to a stern set of
rules. Any deviation from a defined set of rules will invite trouble if the group wins
any significant amount of money. Below is a simply set of instructions that we adhere to. Feel free to share this with others as it will eliminate any possible
legal action by those in a working environment who choose not to play.
MEGA MILLIONS
As a group, we will play the lotto when it reaches the range of 40 million and above.
$1 per person per drawing until someone hits the jackpot (drops below 40 million).
If you want to automatically include your dollar in the drawings, mark yes.
You will be notified when the group is playing and funds can be left with JM.
In her absence, see MJ.
If you do not want to automatically include your dollar, mark no and you will
not be included (it will be your responsibility to join the group in the future).
Photocopies of the quick pick tickets and results will be available
in the fieldhouse copier room.