ROSEVILLE, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Lottery says the apparent winner of a winning Powerball ticket worth nearly $229 million has come forward.

Acting lottery director Jenny Canfield says the agency was contacted by the individual on Friday morning. She says based on the information provided that "it does appear to be an apparent winner." She says the winner or winners won't be named until they produce the winning ticket and lottery officials validate it for certain.

Canfield says the identity of the ticket holder could still be released Friday.

The ticket was sold in Dakota County. Lottery officials say it's the largest jackpot ever won in Minnesota. The winner or winners have the option of taking about $123 million in cash now, which would be about $84 million after taxes, or a full payout over 30 years.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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