Multnomah County Lottery Players Won More Than $15 Million in 2016

The Oregon Lottery would like you to know about Joe Watson of Portland. He won $1 million playing Powerball.

Lottery officials say that Watson was one of 5,968 residents of Multnomah County who won at least $600 this year for a total of more than $15,215,323.

"Since Multnomah County is the most populous state in Oregon, it would make sense they would have the most winners and the highest prize amounts," said Oregon Lottery Winner and Promotion Specialist, Patrick Johnson.

Watson was one of 15 Powerball players in Multnomah County to win more than $600 in 2016. For all of Oregon, 60 players won $3,933,345 playing Powerball - Watson accounted for more than 25 percent of those winnings.

Proceeds from Oregon Lottery sales fund education, economic development, parks and watershed projects.

During the state budget biennium from 2013 to 2015 Oregon Lottery proceeds helped to support more than $70.2 million in projects and programs throughout Multnomah County. This included $48.5 million for the eight school districts in the county.