US: Powerball jackpot rises to $1.3bn as one winner scoops $165m in Mega Millions

No one has claimed the now $1.3bn (£894.8m) Powerball jackpot in the US, but one lucky winner in a New York City deli did take home $165m (£113.5m) after purchasing a Mega Millions ticket. The unidentified person purchased the winning ticket at the Willowbrook Deli on Staten Island.

According to CBS New York, deli manager Sarbjit Singh is eager to find out who won the millions. Singh told 1010 WINS he hopes the winner is a regular customer. Staten Island Advance reported that the lottery's cash value has been rising since 13 November and stands at $101M.

The Mega Millions winning numbers were 11, 39, 51, 57 and 75, with 2 as the Mega Ball. The winning ticket was a Quick Pick and matched all six numbers drawn, the New York Lottery confirmed. An analysis of lottery data by the Advance revealed that 34 Stand Island residents have become lottery millionaires since 2010.

Singh attributed the Mega Millions win with soaring Powerball ticket sales. His deli sold over 20,000 tickets on 9 January, CBS New York reported. "We are crazy right now with the Powerball," he said. The deli owner even advertised on his store's front door that the establishment had sold the winning Mega Million ticket to drum up sales.

Excitement over the Powerball jackpot has reached epic proportions after the prize became the world's largest jackpot. The Powerball winnings have been growing since 4 November when it stood at $40m. According to the New York Post, lottery officials have made it harder to win by increasing the number of white balls from 59 to 69 and decreasing the number of red Powerballs from 35 to 26.