DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – When the largest-ever lottery prize is finally awarded, the winners and losers will extend well beyond the lucky few who hit the jackpot and the multitudes of disappointed ticket buyers. Here’s a breakdown of how Powerball affects the players, the public and others.
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WINNER: GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
The biggest Powerball winner is actually state government in the jurisdictions that participate. That’s 44 states as well as the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Each jurisdiction spends the money raised through the lottery differently, with the rules determined by state Legislatures. In some states, the money goes directly to education or college scholarships. Elsewhere, it might fund transportation. Some states send it to their general fund, where lawmakers decide how to use it.