Cheyenne, Wyoming
Sept. 12, 2025 – The old adage, “you can’t win if you don’t play,” could not be more true for Jerry Ragsdale of Casper, Wyo. Ragsdale recently purchased a Powerball ticket, his second time ever to play, and with that Quick Pick ticket, he is now a millionaire.
Ragsdale was going about his life, selling and servicing drilling rigs across Wyoming, when he chose to purchase a Powerball ticket on Sept. 3 during the recent jackpot run-up. He snagged his ticket at the Loaf n’ Jug at 3036 College Dr. in Rock Springs.
The jackpot was at $1.4 billion at the time, reaching $1.8 billion for the Sept. 5 Powerball drawing, which resulted in two jackpot winners out of Texas and Missouri. This was the second highest jackpot in Powerball history.
That ticket Ragsdale purchased matched 5 numbers with the Power Play, winning him $2 million. He was one of four people nationwide to win $2 million that day, including winners in Michigan, Oregon and Texas. Powerball tickets are $2 each, and players have the option to add on the Power Play for an additional $1, which can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 times.
Ragsdale chose on that random Wednesday to get the Power Play.
“My boss had to double check my ticket for me—I just couldn’t believe I won that much money,” Ragsdale said.
The 48-year-old single father said he is excited to set up college funds for his two teenage daughters, pay off his house, and invest in the oil and gas industry.
“This is what the lottery is all about, changing lives. And, we hear that Jerry is hoping his luck will get his 49ers to the Super Bowl this season, and he will be there to watch,” said Jon Clontz, WyoLotto CEO.
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