It was a strange series of events, and now Powerball conspiracy theories are taking over.
This morning, the winning numbers 10-33-41-47-56 and the Powerball was 10. According to USA Today, “the winning ticket was sold at a service center in Altadena in Los Angeles County.” That jackpot is for a record-breaking $2.04 billion dollars. But here’s how the conspiracy seemed to get started. The California Lottery announced a delay. Specifically, at 11 pm it was announced that there was a “technical problem.” The drawing would be delayed.
Tonight’s Powerball® drawing has been delayed due to a participating lottery needing extra time to complete the required security protocols. Powerball has strict security requirements that must be met by all 48 lotteries before a drawing can occur. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/jQZJQIPJXr
— California Lottery (@calottery) November 8, 2022
After the drawing finally goes down this morning a winner is not named and the jackpot goes up. But wait, it doesn’t. A winner IS announced. In California. Someone in Florida also won some money for getting 5 numbers but not the Powerball. They did the Power Play thing so they got 2 million.
The main Powerball conspiracy theories seem to be focused on the idea that it was California that announced that extra time was needed. Then it was California that had a big winner. But I will dispel one theory about a deal with the state getting the tax revenue. California is one of 15 states that doesn’t tax lottery winnings. So that conspiracy theory has been disproven. Actually, all of these ideas — like most conspiracy theories — are pretty far-fetched. But they are entertaining.