Richard Kee Jr. of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, became one of the state’s biggest Powerball winners after a $2 ticket turned into a $209.3 million jackpot. The winning ticket was purchased for the January 21, 2026, Powerball drawing, and Kee later claimed the prize from the North Carolina Education Lottery.
The win was especially notable because it was reported as the second-largest lottery prize ever won in North Carolina. Kee also chose a lump-sum payment instead of receiving the advertised jackpot through an annuity over nearly three decades.
Here is what is known about Richard Kee Jr.’s Powerball win, the payout options he faced, the amount he received after taxes, and why the $209.3 million headline figure was much higher than the amount he ultimately took home.
Who Is Richard Kee Jr.?
Richard Kee Jr. is a Roanoke Rapids resident in Halifax County, North Carolina, who won the $209.3 million Powerball jackpot from a $2 ticket.
The North Carolina Education Lottery identified Kee as the jackpot winner in April 2026 after he had initially remained anonymous. North Carolina law allows winners of lottery prizes of $50 million or more to remain anonymous for 90 days.
The winning ticket was purchased at West 10th Mart on West 10th Street in Roanoke Rapids. The retailer also received a $50,000 bonus for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.
How Much Did Richard Kee Jr. Win?
The advertised Powerball jackpot was $209.3 million.
That figure represents the estimated annuity value rather than the amount that a winner necessarily receives immediately in cash.
Kee had two payout choices when he claimed the prize:
| Payout option | Amount |
| Advertised annuity jackpot | $209.3 million |
| Lump-sum cash option | $95.3 million |
| Reported amount after federal and state tax withholding | About $68.6 million |
Kee selected the $95.3 million lump-sum option. After federal and state taxes were withheld, he received approximately $68.6 million.
When Did Richard Kee Jr. Buy the Winning Ticket?
Kee purchased the winning $2 Powerball ticket on January 21, 2026, for that night’s drawing.
The ticket was sold at West 10th Mart in Roanoke Rapids. The winning ticket matched the numbers needed to claim the jackpot, turning a $2 purchase into a nine-figure lottery prize.
When Did Richard Kee Claim the Powerball Prize?
According to reports from the North Carolina Education Lottery and ABC11, Kee claimed the jackpot on January 22, 2026, one day after purchasing the winning ticket.
At the time of claiming the prize, he had to choose between the annuity and lump-sum options.
He ultimately selected the lump sum.
Why Was the Cash Option Only $95.3 Million?
The $209.3 million Powerball figure and the $95.3 million cash option represent two different ways of receiving the jackpot.
The advertised jackpot is the estimated amount paid through an annuity over nearly 30 years. The cash option represents the amount available to the winner upfront.
Therefore, choosing the $95.3 million cash option did not mean Kee lost money from an already-held $209.3 million balance. Instead, he selected a different payout structure.
This distinction is important when reading lottery headlines because the advertised jackpot and immediate cash value are normally very different.
How Much Did Richard Kee Jr. Take Home?
After choosing the $95.3 million lump sum, Kee had taxes withheld.
Reports put his amount after federal and state tax withholding at approximately $68.6 million.
This is why the commonly reported figures are:
$209.3 million jackpot → $95.3 million cash option → approximately $68.6 million after reported tax withholding.
The exact ultimate tax liability can depend on an individual’s tax circumstances, so the amount withheld should not automatically be treated as the winner’s final lifetime tax calculation.
Did Richard Kee Jr. Remain Anonymous?
Initially, yes.
North Carolina allows winners of lottery prizes of $50 million or more to remain anonymous for 90 days. Kee used that provision after winning the jackpot. His identity was subsequently publicly reported in April 2026.
This explains why reports about the winning ticket initially did not identify the person who held it.
How Big Was Richard Kee Jr.’s Win?
The $209.3 million prize was described by the North Carolina Education Lottery as the second-largest lottery jackpot ever won in North Carolina.
That makes Kee’s win significant not only for Roanoke Rapids and Halifax County but also in the state’s lottery history.
The winning ticket also generated a $50,000 retailer bonus for West 10th Mart.
What Happened to the Winning Store?
West 10th Mart in Roanoke Rapids sold the winning ticket.
Because the store sold the jackpot-winning ticket, the retailer received a $50,000 bonus from the North Carolina Education Lottery.
Retailer bonuses are separate from the winner’s jackpot and do not reduce the winner’s prize.
What Can We Confirm About Richard Kee Jr.’s Plans for the Money?
Public reports about Kee’s jackpot claim provide details about the ticket, payout choice, taxes, and his identity. They do not establish a detailed public plan for how he intends to spend or invest the money.
For that reason, claims about specific purchases, investments, donations, businesses, or lifestyle changes should not be presented as facts unless they are confirmed by a reliable source.
What Does the Richard Kee Jr. Powerball Win Teach About Lottery Payouts?
Kee’s jackpot illustrates why Powerball winners need to understand the difference between the advertised jackpot and the cash value.
A winner generally has to consider:
- The annuity value
- The immediate cash option
- Federal tax withholding
- State tax considerations
- Long-term financial planning
- Privacy and security
- Estate and wealth-planning issues
The headline amount can therefore be very different from the amount a winner actually receives in cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Richard Kee Jr. win?
Richard Kee Jr. won a $209.3 million Powerball jackpot from a $2 ticket purchased in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.
How much did Richard Kee Jr. take home?
He selected the $95.3 million lump-sum cash option and received approximately $68.6 million after federal and state taxes were withheld, according to reporting on the claim.
Where did Richard Kee Jr. buy his Powerball ticket?
He purchased the winning ticket at West 10th Mart on West 10th Street in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.
When did Richard Kee Jr. win the Powerball jackpot?
His ticket won the Powerball drawing held on January 21, 2026. He claimed the prize on January 22.
Did Richard Kee Jr. choose the lump sum?
Yes. Instead of the $209.3 million annuity, he selected the $95.3 million lump-sum cash option.
Was Richard Kee Jr.’s win the largest in North Carolina?
No. The North Carolina Education Lottery described the $209.3 million prize as the second-largest lottery prize ever won in North Carolina.
Final Takeaway
Richard Kee Jr.’s $209.3 million Powerball win is a major lottery story in North Carolina. He bought a $2 ticket in Roanoke Rapids, won the January 21, 2026, jackpot, and claimed the prize the following day.
Rather than accepting the advertised $209.3 million annuity, Kee chose the $95.3 million lump-sum option. After federal and state tax withholding, reports said he received approximately $68.6 million.
The story also highlights an important point about major lottery jackpots: the advertised jackpot is not necessarily the amount a winner receives immediately. The choice between an annuity and cash option, along with taxes and individual financial circumstances, can make a substantial difference in the final amount available to the winner.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Lottery payout figures, tax treatment, and state rules can vary. The amounts reported above are based on information published by the North Carolina Education Lottery and news reports about Richard Kee Jr.’s claim. This article does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice.
