Geismar Resident is Louisiana’s First $1 Million Powerball/Power Play Winner
Kling's ticket matched all five white balls drawn to win $200,000. Since he had purchased the $1 Power Play option on his ticket, his winnings were multiplied five times when the number "5" Power Play multiplier was selected during the drawing, bringing his total prize to $1 million.
"I knew I had won, but I didn't know how much," explained Kling, age 48. "It's definitely worth the extra dollar to play Power Play!"
Kling said he purchases three Powerball tickets with Power Play and three Lotto tickets every Wednesday and Saturday from Geismar Grocery & Deli on Highway 73 in Geismar.
Kerry Volentine, owner of Geismar Grocery & Deli who sold the winning ticket, said, "When Randy came in on Sunday morning and asked me to verify the numbers, the first thing I noticed was that his ticket was not signed. I told him, 'sign that ticket right now, you're making me nervous!'" The store will receive a one-time bonus of $10,000, one percent of the prize, for selling Kling his winning ticket.
Kling is the first Louisiana player to win $1 million with the Power Play option on Powerball since the match-5 level prize increased to $200,000 in August 2005. "I only have eight more months until I retire. So, I'm going to keep on working and keep on playing!" Kling said.
The winning numbers for the June 16 Powerball drawing were 4-8-32-47-51 and the Powerball number was 27.
Players must be at least 21 years of age to purchase a Lottery ticket. The Lottery encourages anyone who has a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem to call toll-free 1-877-770-7867 for help.
