The lucky winners call themselves “St. Michael 9” because there are nine in their group who frequently get together at the St. Michael American Legion. The nine players, some of them veterans, pool their money on a weekly basis to play Powerball®, a popular multistate game that has offered record jackpots in recent months.

“Everybody turns in $4 a week. We play Mega Millions too,” said Bob MacTavish, one of the winners. “I usually do all of the buying. We have a system.”

MacTavish, a spokesperson for the group, said that they have been playing together for more than a decade, and some of the group’s members are currently retired. He said the way he broke the news to the group happened a bit differently than he had planned.

“I always check the tickets at home in the morning on my computer. This time, I had my wife check it, because I couldn’t fathom seeing all of the zeroes!” said MacTavish. “I was going to wait and call everyone, but I went to the local bank and saw the wife of one of the winners. So, I told her about the prize and that’s when it all started.”

After taxes, each winner will receive an estimated $162,066.

“I can’t speak for the rest of the group, but I don’t have any plans for my part of the prize yet,” said MacTavish.

MacTavish said he’s a retired construction worker. When he’s not at the Legion with his friends, he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, golfing and gardening.

“February was my birthday, so this was a good present!” he added.

“Congratulations to Bob and his group of friends for winning big on Powerball with Power Play,” said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. “This is a great reminder that group or pool play can be a fun and responsible way to play our lottery games, which generate proceeds to help older residents of Pennsylvania.”

The group’s winning ticket matched all five white balls drawn, 11-19-39-44-65, but not the red Powerball® 7, to win $2 million, less applicable withholding. Without the $1 Power Play® option, the ticket would have been worth $1 million. The Power Play® multiplier drawn was two.

To determine if they have won a prize, players can review the ticket, scan it at a Lottery retailer or use the ticket checker feature on the Lottery’s Official App. Winners should immediately sign the back of the ticket, call the Lottery at 1-800-692-7481 and make an appointment to file a claim at the nearest Lottery office.

Powerball® tickets can also be purchased on palottery.com, along with Mega Millions®, Cash4Life®, Treasure Hunt, Match 6 and the PICK family of games.

Prizes must be claimed and tickets validated before winners can be identified. Prizes for Draw Games (including PICK games, Treasure Hunt, Cash 5, Match 6, Powerball® and Mega Millions®) can be collected up to one year from the drawing date. Lottery prizes more than $5,000 are subject to applicable withholding. Visit palottery.com to review rules, chances of winning and learn how to play our traditional and online games.

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About Us: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery to direct all proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since ticket sales began in 1972, it has contributed more than $33.8 billion to fund property tax and rent rebates, transportation, care services, prescription assistance, and local services including senior centers and meals.

Visit the Winners and Benefits pages at palottery.com to review how much money each county receives in Lottery prizes and funding to benefit older Pennsylvanians.

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