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HomeUncategorizedIndian-American gets $1 million for selling record jackpot ticket

Indian-American gets $1 million for selling record jackpot ticket

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Washington: An Indian-origin convenience store owner in the US has become a celebrity overnight after he sold one of the three Powerball winning lotteries with a record jackpot of USD 1.6 billion.

Powerball Jackpot

Lottery officials confirmed one jackpot-winning ticket was sold at Balbir Atwal’s store located at Chino Hills in California. Two others were sold in Tennessee and Florida.

Atwal received a USD 1 million cheque as retailer bonus for selling the winning ticket. Atwal said he was surprised to learn his store was one of the lucky ones, calling the group of revellers “a big family.” “I didn’t believe it and then I looked at it carefully again,” Atwal said.

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

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

Atwal came to the US from Punjab, India in the early 80s, and opened four 7-Eleven stores, including the Chino Hills location about 24 years ago.

“I 100 per cent believe he deserves this,” Sonia Atwal, one of his three daughters, was quoted by NBC News as saying.

“He pretty much set his foot here and helped our family make it- the American dream.” Shortly after the announcement on Wednesday, a huge crowd packed the 7-Eleven chanting “Chino Hills” to celebrate the= historic win in the usually-quiet suburb city of about 75,000 residents.

Although the large group did not win big, they said it was exciting to know the winner was from their community. “We’re all just very excited that one of us could be the

winners, and it’s just very exciting for everyone,” Delaney Gurol said.

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