Balbir Atwal: the Indian-American who sold one of the Powerball winning lotteries

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Balbir Atwal (Photo courtesy: Daily News and Associated Press)
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WALTHAM, MA– An Indian-origin convenience store owner in California sold one of the Powerball winning lotteries with a record jackpot of $1.6 billion, according to media reports.

Balbir Atwal (Photo courtesy: Daily News and Associated Press)
Balbir Atwal (Photo courtesy: Daily News and Associated Press)

Balbir Atwal received a $1 million check as retailer bonus for selling the winning ticket. The winning ticket was sold at Atwal’s store located at Chino Hills in California. Two others were sold in Tennessee and Florida.

City officials described Atwal as a cornerstone in the community, after he was among the first business owners to set up shop in the city after its incorporation, Press Trust of India reported.

Atwal said he planned to give a part of his winnings to charity and share the rest with his employees and family, according to PTI.

“This is a land of opportunity,” said Atwal as quoted by PTI. “Anybody who comes, you will achieve your dreams.”

Atwal went to the US from Punjab in the early 1980s, and opened four 7-Eleven stores, including the Chino Hills location about 24 years ago, according to PTI.

The jackpot last week was not just the largest in Powerball history, New York State lottery officials said, but also the largest of any lottery game in the United States. The jackpot started at $40 million on November 7 and rolled over 19 times, with no one matching all six numbers, PTI reported.

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