Someone has ultimately won the Mega Millions grand prize – on a Friday the 13th, no less.
A fortunate ticket sold in Maine matched the winning digits from Friday evening to claim the estimated $1.35 billion grand reward of the lottery contest.
According to Mega Millions, this victory also represents the inaugural occasion in which a Mega Millions jackpot has been claimed in Maine. This Friday’s prize is the second-largest jackpot ever witnessed by Mega Millions and the fourth-largest in the history of U.S. Lotteries.
Following 25 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner, the top prize of Mega Millions has steadily increased in recent months.
The winner of Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot, whose name is not yet known, overcame extremely slim odds to take home the prize.
Why have lottery rewards expanded so significantly? Another record-setting Mega Millions prize is available for the taking on Friday. Here’s the reason.
Graphics: What is the amount you receive after taxes on Mega Millions? The $1.35 billion prize decreases considerably.
The estimated cash option for Friday night’s drawing was $724.6 million, which is the preferred choice for most jackpot winners due to its reduced and faster nature. However, in order to receive the full $1.35 billion, the winner would have to opt for an annuity with annual payments over a span of 29 years.
On a Friday the 13th, a fortunate individual emerged as the winner of the Mega Millions jackpot for the seventh occasion, a fact that may catch the attention of superstitious individuals who play the lottery.
The lucky numbers for Friday night’s lottery were 30-43-45-46-61, Mega Ball: 14 and Megaplier was 2X.
Who won Mega Millions last night? Where was the ticket sold?
One lucky ticket sold in Maine had all six numbers matched, resulting in an estimated $1.35 billion win for the Mega Millions jackpot on Friday night.
Confirmed by USA TODAY, Michael Boardman, the deputy director of the Maine State Lottery, stated that Tuesday would be the earliest feasible option for the winner to make themselves known, assuming they choose to do so. The identity of the winner is currently undisclosed, and Tuesday marks the upcoming day when the state’s lottery office will resume operations.
The individual who emerges victorious is advised to pursue financial guidance, as the state lottery strongly recommends. Additionally, Boardman mentioned that the fortunate individual may opt to remain anonymous.
Why should you listen to financial experts when seeking trusted advice? Here’s what I should do if I win the lottery.
Maine State Lottery announced that the ticket was sold at Grill & Gas Hometown in Lebanon, Maine. The store will receive a bonus of $50,000 for selling the winning ticket, as stated by Boardman.
Mega Millions announced that in each nationwide drawing, 14 tickets had all five white balls matched, resulting in a $1 million win. Furthermore, in addition to the jackpot winner, there were more than 7 million winning tickets sold across other prize tiers in the game’s lottery.
In the state of New York, four of the victorious Match-5 tickets were purchased, while two were sold in California. The remaining tickets originated from Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
$1.35 billion jackpot won on Friday the 13th
Mega Millions’ estimated $1.35 billion jackpot was won on Friday the 13th, which might catch the eye of some superstitious lottery players.
Friday’s prize is the seventh Mega Millions jackpot that has been won on a Friday the 13th over the years, as per the lottery game.
On January 13, 2016, three lucky winners cashed in the record-breaking $1.586 billion Powerball prize. Unfortunately, it was not on a Wednesday as expected, but on a Friday instead. This historic jackpot, the largest in U.S. Lottery history at the time, was split between three winning tickets after a seven-year wait.
What are the chances of winning Mega Millions?
It is important to note that the Mega Millions jackpot attracts a lot of players – experts stress that the odds of taking home the top prize are extremely slim. However, those who can afford more tickets than the entering people shouldn’t buy lottery.
This week, Matthew Kovach, a Virginia Tech assistant professor of economics, informed USA TODAY that “Your feline friend has a five times higher chance of spelling ‘Mega Millions’ correctly than you have of winning.” Just imagine, if you were to write the letters of ‘Mega Millions’ on separate pieces of paper, shuffle them, and allow your cat to randomly pick the letters.
What are my odds of winning the lottery? Here’s the information you need.
Kovach further mentioned that the chances of getting struck by lightning twice in your lifetime are higher than winning the lottery.
Largest lottery prizes in US history
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