Office Powerball pools are turning everyday coworkers in Kentucky into big winners, with groups across the state cashing in on big Powerball prizes thanks to teamwork and a bit of luck.
A Longtime Office Tradition Pays Off
Office lottery pools have been paying off in a big way in Kentucky. Eight employees at Avantor Performance Materials, a manufacturer in Paris, Kentucky, won a $200,000 Powerball prize through their office pool after matching four white balls and the Powerball in the January 17 drawing.
The coworkers had been playing together for about four years, making the weekly ticket purchase just another part of their routine. That routine turned into an unforgettable surprise when the winning numbers were announced.
Tim, who organized the office pool, said he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Before celebrating, he asked his wife to double-check the ticket.
At first, she thought the group had won $50,000. Then they remembered one important detail: Tim had added the Power Play option.
The next day, Tim shared the news with the rest of the group. The eight coworkers learned they would be splitting a $200,000 Powerball prize, taking home more than $18,000 each after taxes. Rather than making extravagant plans, the group said they intended to use the money to help pay bills.
The winning ticket was purchased at The Estepp's Friendly Shell in Paris, Kentucky. As the selling retailer, the store also received a $2,000 bonus.
One Extra Dollar Changed Everything
The biggest surprise wasn't just that the group won. It was realizing their prize was actually worth four times more than they first believed.
Power Play is an optional feature available for an additional $1 per play. While it doesn't increase jackpot prizes, it can multiply non-jackpot winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or even 10X when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less.
For the January 17 drawing, the Power Play multiplier landed at 4X. That turned the standard $50,000 prize for matching four white balls plus the Powerball into a $200,000 payday.
It's a good reminder that while the jackpot gets most of the attention, the optional Power Play feature can make a significant difference for players who land one of Powerball's other prize tiers.
Kentucky Office Pools Have Seen Their Share of Winners
The Avantor coworkers aren't the only Kentucky employees who've had reason to celebrate. In recent years, several workplace Powerball pools across the state have turned small weekly contributions into memorable wins.
One of the biggest stories came from the "Jones 30," a group of current and former employees from R.A. Jones Middle School in Florence. Their longtime office pool matched all five white balls in the January 27, 2024, Powerball drawing to win a $1 million prize.
In March 2025, another Kentucky workplace joined the list when 17 employees at Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown shared a $50,000 Powerball prize. Later that year, workers at TG Kentucky, an automotive supplier in Lebanon, also celebrated after their office pool claimed another $50,000 Powerball prize.
While the prizes have varied, the stories all have one thing in common. Each group turned a small workplace tradition into a celebration that extended well beyond the office walls.
Why Office Pools Remain So Popular
There's a reason office Powerball pools have been around for decades. They're simple, affordable, and add a little excitement to the workweek.
Instead of buying several tickets individually, coworkers combine their money to purchase multiple plays while agreeing to split any winnings. For many groups, it's less about expecting to win the jackpot and more about sharing the experience together.
Office pools also help avoid one of the biggest fears Powerball players have, which is being the only person at work who didn't chip in when everyone else wins. For just a few dollars, coworkers can enjoy the anticipation together and celebrate together if their numbers come up.
Of course, successful office pools usually have one other thing in common. They establish clear expectations before tickets are purchased, including who's participating, how much each person contributes, and how any prizes will be divided.
A Memorable Win for Everyone
For the eight coworkers at Avantor Performance Materials, what started as another routine ticket purchase became one of the biggest moments of their lives. Thanks to one extra dollar spent on Power Play, a $50,000 prize became a $200,000 celebration overnight.
Their story also shows that while massive Powerball jackpots often dominate the headlines, memorable wins happen at every prize level. Sometimes all it takes is a group of coworkers, a standing office tradition, and a little bit of luck to create a payday no one in the break room will ever forget.