The massive Powerball lottery in the U.S. finally has a winner.

The US$1.787 billion prize — the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot in history — followed 41 consecutive drawings in which no one matched all six numbers.

The last drawing with a jackpot winner happened on May 31.

The winners of last night’s draw, from Missouri and Texas, who overcome astronomical odds to end the lottery game’s three-month drought, will split the the almost US$1.8 billion jackpot.

Each ticket holder will have the choice between an annuitized prize of US$893.5 million or a lump sum payment of US$410.3 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If a winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by five per cent each year.

The win

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