Family realizes they have winning Powerball^® ticket 5 weeks after drawing

One Powerball entry won $50,000 by matching four-out-of-five numbers and the Powerball during the September 27 estimated $545 million jackpot drawing. That winner is Andrew Aronson, who purchased the ticket at Al’s Supermarket in Michigan City. 

Both Andrew and his wife, who have been married 54 years, are retired physicians and have a residence in Chicago and Michigan City. Andrew strictly plays Draw games intermittently—mostly Powerball and sometimes Mega Millions. Since they live on the border with Michigan, he purchases tickets in different states. 

On September 27, the Powerball jackpot was over $500 million, so Andrew decided to purchase $20 in Powerball Quick Pick tickets. 

Andrew claimed the ticket at the Hoosier Lottery Prize Payment office in Indianapolis. “I’ve always wanted to come down to watch basketball and it never worked out,” Andrew said. “This is an excellent first trip to Indianapolis,” in reference to claiming his prize.

“Only this week did we find out we won,” Andrew shared on November 8. “I do not always look right away at the numbers. Moving forward I will be checking my tickets more often.”

Andrew and his wife recollected on their experience of reviewing their tickets and then having them scanned, ““We did not expect much. One number matched. ‘Oh.’ Two numbers. ‘Oh.’ We then skipped over the third number and saw others matched, including the Powerball. We couldn’t believe what we were seeing.”

They had the tickets scanned. Three tickets came up as $4 winners. The fourth ticket scanned indicated we should visit the Hoosier Lottery office. Andrew said, ‘I take it this is important!’” 

“We still couldn’t believe it was real,” Andrew’s wife said. I remember being “almost emotionless.” 

When asked about their plans with the prize money they replied, “We have not thought about it in detail.” Family is top of mind for the Aronsons. There are also organizations and causes they enjoy, referencing the symphony and opera.

What is certain is Andrew’s intention to continue playing the Hoosier Lottery. As he prepared to depart the Prize Payment office Andrew turned around with a smile and said, “I hope to see you again!”

Powerball Overall Odds 1 in 25
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Mega Millions Overall Odds 1 in 24