Three lucky Oregon residents recently made history by winning the state’s largest-ever lottery jackpot of $1.3 billion.
Laiza Liem Chao, Cheng Saephan, and Duanpen Saephan were announced as the winners on Monday, April 29, 2024, in a grand ceremony at the Oregon Lottery headquarters in Salem.
Cheng Saephan, a former machinist who moved to the US from Thailand in 1994, expressed his gratitude to God for the beautiful prize he received. Cheng, who has been battling cancer since 2016, is thankful for the opportunity to provide a comfortable life for his family with his newfound fortune. Despite his illness, he plans to purchase a house and give back by sending his pastor on missionary trips to Thailand, Laos, and possibly China.
The winning ticket was purchased on April 6, 2024, at a Plaid Pantry in Portland, where Cheng, his wife Duanpen, and their friend Chao bought 20 lottery tickets for $200. The store will receive a $100,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
The $1.3 billion prize was divided amongst the three winners, with each receiving a substantial amount after state and federal taxes. The winners opted for a one-time payout rather than a 30-year annuity, which brought the total winnings down to $422,309,193.97. The winners have already received their prize and are looking forward to a brighter future ahead.
