Laos Immigrant Battles Cancer, Wins $1.3B Powerball Jackpot

(CTN News) – Cheng “Charlie” Saephan, a 46-year-old immigrant from Laos, won the $1.3 billion Powerball prize on Monday as he continues his eight-year cancer struggle.

In a news conference, the Portland resident stated that he and his 37-year-old wife, Duanpen, would share the reward equally with a friend.

Charlie explained that his 55-year-old friend Laiza Chao contributed $100 to purchase a batch of tickets with them.

According to AP News, they receive a lump sum payment of $422 million after taxes.

“I will be able to provide for my family and my health,” he added, adding that he’d “find a good doctor for myself”.

Saephan stated that he was born in Laos and relocated to Thailand in 1987 before moving to the US in 1994.

During the news conference, he wore a sash identifying as an Iu Mien, a Southeast Asian ethnic minority with southern Chinese heritage.

Tens of thousands of Iu Mien people dwell on the West Coast, including a sizable community in Portland.

Saephan graduated from high school in 1996 and has resided in Portland for thirty years. He worked as a machinist at an aircraft company.

Before announcing the winner, the Oregon Lottery went through security and verification procedures.

The prize, worth $621 million before taxes, is subject to federal and state taxes in Oregon.

According to the Oregon Lottery, the $1.3 billion jackpot is the fourth largest in Powerball history.

The largest lottery jackpot in the United States was $2.04 billion in California in 2022.

Where to purchase lottery tickets

The lottery tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and some airport terminals that sell lottery tickets.

Many U.S. states and territories offer online lottery tickets through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of USA TODAY Network: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. Jackpocket lets you pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket, and collect your winnings from your phone or computer.

How many Powerball numbers do you need to win a prize?

To win a prize, you need to match one number. But it has to be the Powerball worth $4. Check out powerball.com for the full prize list.

What is the Powerball payout on matching 2 lottery numbers?

You can win $4 if you match two numbers in Powerball. You can win $4 if you match two numbers and the Powerball. Visit powerball.com for the full prize chart.

Powerball 2024 drawing jackpot winners

Here is the list of 2024 jackpot wins, according to powerball.com:

• $842.4 million — Jan. 1; Michigan.
• $1.362 million — April 6; Oregon.