Puerto Rico Claims Winning Ticket in $564M Powerball Drawing

The U.S. territory claimed a winning ticket in $564 million drawing.

ByABC News
February 12, 2015, 3:26 AM

— -- Puerto Rico claimed one of the three winning tickets to Wednesday’s $564 million Powerball drawing, the U.S. territory's first Powerball victory.

Puerto Rico only added the drawing in October.

Beyond the buzz generated by potential jackpot winnings, Powerball is also seen as a way for Puerto Rico to draw additional funds.

While Puerto Rico had never won the Powerball before Wednesday’s drawing, the Isle of Enchantment has featured an official lottery system – the Loteria de Puerto Rico – since 1934, decades before similar lottery systems were established in various states.

The Multi-State Lottery Association operates the Powerball in 44 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.