Manager of Store That Sold $1 Billion Powerball Ticket Says He’s Not the Winner: ‘Sadly, It Wasn’t Me’

A massive Powerball jackpot has been claimed following the drawing on Saturday, August 15, 2026. According to reporting from ABC7 New York, a single ticket sold in the state of Illinois won a prize totaling $1.04 billion. While the ticket was sold at a specific retail location, the manager of that store has addressed the situation publicly. As reported by Yahoo, the manager explicitly stated that he is not the winner of the prize, noting, ‘Sadly, it wasn’t me.’ Multiple news outlets have tracked the aftermath of the drawing. The Commercial Appeal confirmed the existence of the new winner and the $1 billion jackpot hit.

USA Today reports that following this massive win, the Powerball jackpot has reset to $20 million. Further coverage from Treasure Coast News provided results and numbers for the August 15 drawing, noting the impact across both Illinois and Florida, though the billion-dollar ticket specifically originated in Illinois. Financial context regarding the windfall is being highlighted by WGN-TV. Their data indicates that the $1 billion Powerball jackpot is significantly reduced when taxes are applied. Specifically, WGN-TV reports that in 31 different states, the actual payout is cut to less than $600 million after tax obligations are met.

This discrepancy between the advertised jackpot and the actual take-home amount provides necessary context for the scale of the winner's actual earnings. Attention now turns to the reset of the lottery and the identity of the ticket holder. While the store manager has cleared himself of being the winner, the coverage does not yet specify the identity of the person who purchased the Illinois ticket. Observers will likely monitor whether the winner chooses to remain anonymous or come forward. Meanwhile, the jackpot has returned to its starting point of $20 million as new tickets are sold for subsequent drawings.