Friends share Powerball jackpot win worth millions, keeping a promise made in 1992

A western Wisconsin man will share his USD 22 million (Rs 164 crore) lottery winnings with a longtime friend because of a promise they made to each other in 1992.

The win came against steep odds. Currently, the chance of hitting the Powerball’s grand prize is 1 in 292,201,338. The men chose the cash option of about $16.7 million, leaving each with nearly $5.7 million after taxes are paid.

Nearly three decades ago, Tom Cook and Joseph Feeney promised each other that if anyone among them won the Powerball jackpot, they would split the winning money.

As per the reports, Cook bought the winning ticket for a $22 million jackpot at Synergy Coop in Menomonie last month.

Joseph Feeney, who happens to be a fisherman said, “He called me, and I said, ‘are you jerking my bobber?”

“We can pursue what we feel comfortable with. I can’t think of a better way to retire,” Cook said. The duo said they are looking forward to some travelling.

Tom Cook has retired after bagging the winning money and Feeney was already retired. Both friends are looking forward to enjoying family time.

How does winning the Powerball Jackpot work?

• Select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls
• Select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball
• Choose your numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick your numbers
• The Powerball jackpot grows until it is won
• Players win a prize by matching one of the 9 Ways to Win.