A Mega Millions player in Texas has won an astonishing estimated jackpot of $800 million. This marks the first time since June that someone has matched all six drawn numbers in the lottery.
The winning ticket was purchased at a Murphy USA convenience store and gas station located in Sugar Land, Texas. The unidentified player opted for a Quick Pick ticket, in which numbers are randomly generated by a computer.
The drawn numbers were the white balls 1, 2, 16, 24, and 66, along with the gold Mega Ball 6.
According to the Texas Lottery, the winner chose to receive a lump sum payout at the time of purchase, which amounts to approximately $404.2 million before taxes. The winner has 180 days from the draw date to claim their prize. Additionally, the retail location that sold the winning ticket will receive a $1 million bonus.
This remarkable win is the third Mega Millions jackpot of 2024. Earlier in the year, a New Jersey player won $1.128 billion in March, and an Illinois player claimed $552 million in June.
This is also the 15th Mega Millions jackpot to be awarded in Texas, and it stands as the largest lottery prize ever won in the state. Ryan Mindell, executive director of the Texas Lottery, expressed excitement, saying, “We are beyond thrilled to celebrate Texas’ largest-ever jackpot winner and can’t wait to meet and congratulate them in person.” He advised the winner to sign the ticket, keep it in a secure location, and seek professional financial and legal advice before contacting the Texas Lottery about claiming their prize.
In addition to the grand prize, four tickets matched the five white numbers drawn, winning each of those players $1 million as the game’s second-tier prize. These winning tickets were sold in California, Florida, New York, and Washington.
Furthermore, 47 players won the third-tier prize for matching four white balls and the Mega Ball. Ten of those players, who opted for an additional $1 Megaplier option, won $40,000 each, while the remaining 37 players will receive $10,000 each.
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Friday, September 13, with the jackpot resetting to the starting value of $20 million. Interestingly, Friday the 13th has seen seven Mega Millions jackpots won in the past, including a noteworthy $1.348 billion prize awarded in Maine on January 13, 2023.