New York – David Yax of North Evans is the sole winner of the $80 million jackpot from the September 4 Powerball drawing. Yax matched all six numbers drawn, making him the winner of Erie County’s largest jackpot.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” said Yax. “I checked my ticket early one morning and immediately woke up my wife with the good news.”
Yax brought the ticket to a ticket checker to verify that it was a winner. “I ran the bar code and knew it was time to leave and call my financial advisor. I was very calm.”
The winning Powerball numbers for the September 4 drawing were 04-08-30-52-59 Powerball 02. His $80 million win makes him the largest Western New York Lottery winner to date. The previous record was held by Joseph Cotton of Alden, who won a $33.3M Lotto jackpot in 1991.
Yax opted to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum payment totaling $38,498,567 after required withholdings.
“Winning this amount of money is fantastic, but a little overwhelming. Our lives have changed one hundred percent.”
As for his plans for the money Yax said, “First, we’ll set up a trust and invest. We also plan to travel and just have fun.”
The winning ticket was purchased at the Tops Friendly Markets on Erie Road in Derby.
Yax is the 86th New York Lottery player to claim a prize totaling $1,000,000 or more this year.
The New York Lottery contributed $186,294,596 in Lottery Aid to Education to school districts in Erie County during fiscal year 2018-2019.
About the New York Lottery
The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.47 billion in fiscal year 2018-2019 to help support education in New York State. The Lottery’s contribution represents approximately 13 percent of total state education aid to local school districts.
New Yorkers struggling with a gambling addiction, or who know someone who is, can find help by calling the State's toll-free, confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369). Standard text rates may apply.