White bought the winning ticket in February in Newport , Rhode Island , after a family member had a craving for rainbow sherbet and brought her to a store , where she purchased the ticket . The prize is the seventh - largest ever in history . Powerball is held in 42 states , the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia . The game 's largest prize to date was $ 365 million . Eight tickets worth $ 1 million each were also sold .
The prize is the seventh - largest ever in history . Powerball is held in 42 states , the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia . The game 's largest prize to date was $ 365 million . Eight tickets worth $ 1 million each were also sold .