"We wanted to give players extra possibilities to get into the game, and now that the jackpot has crossed the half-billion dollar mark, it’s producing a lot of excitement."
Esparragoza netted the prize from Saturday's Powerball drawing.
The final jackpot of the year had a cash choice of $157.7 million.
Match all 5 white balls and the gold Mega Ball to win the jackpot.
Tickets to play the Powerball price $2 and are obtainable in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S.