Lewis R. Gardner of Hot Springs, right, president of Crackerbox Food Stores, speaks at a news conference today announcing that a $25 million Powerball ticket was sold at a Crackerbox store in Mayflower. Looking on, from left, are state Lottery Commissioner Joe White of Conway, Crackerbox Chairman Lewis M. Gardner of Hot Springs and Lottery Director Ernie Passailaigue. (Photo by John Lyon/Stephens Media)

By John Lyon
Arkansas News Bureau

MAYFLOWER — The holder of a winning Powerball ticket sold in Mayflower had not shown up to collect the $25 million prize by late this afternoon, but the owners of the store where the ticket was sold were hoping someone would claim the money.

They stand to receive a $50,000 commission on the prize.

“I do hope that the winner of the $25 million will come forth soon and I hope that they’re local,” Lewis R. Gardner of Hot Springs, president of Crackerbox Food Stores, said during a news conference.

Lottery officials said only one ticket matched all six numbers to win the jackpot in Saturday’s Powerball drawing, and that ticket was sold at Crackerbox Food Store No. 25 on Arkansas 365 in Mayflower. It was the first jackpot-winning ticket sold in Arkansas since the state began selling Powerball tickets on Oct. 31.

Lottery Director Ernie Passailaigue said officials had received a couple of calls regarding the prize, but the prize will not be awarded until someone shows up at lottery headquarters in Little Rock with the winning ticket.

Lottery officials said they were able to award $500,000 today to Tammy Johnson of Rogers, the first person to win the top prize in Arkansas’ “$500,000 Jackpot” instant-win game. Two people have won $100,000 prizes with instant-win tickets.

The holder of the winning Powerball ticket has 180 days from the day of sale to claim the prize. If no one claims the prize, the money will be divided between Powerball’s member states.

The winner can choose to receive $25 million in annual payments over 29 years or a lump sum of $12.15 million — before taxes. If a long payout is chosen, payments will start at $445,752 and get bigger each year, reaching $1.39 million by the final year.

Lewis M. Gardner of Hot Springs, chairman and owner of the 29-store Crackerbox chain and father of Lewis R. Gardner, said he had some initial hesitation about selling lottery tickets for moral reasons, but he overcame his doubt and decided to give 10 percent of the money to his church.

“Somebody’s going to sell them,” he said. “So we’ll just sell them and give our part to the church,” he said.

Passailaigue said the success of Arkansas’ lottery is directly attributable to the Gardners and the rest of the lottery’s 1,900 retailers.

By the close of business Sunday, the lottery had grossed about $136 million, he said. Officials have said about 25 percent of gross proceeds will fund college scholarships.

“I have four children, three of whom are about to go to college. I plan to participate in getting some of these scholarships for my children, as well I hope everybody in the state of Arkansas is,” Lewis R. Gardner said.

“The real winners here, obviously … are the students of Arkansas,” Passailaigue said.