Lottery officials have confirmed the sale of a sole winning ticket for the historic estimated $1.58 billion Mega Millions jackpot held on Tuesday night. This fortunate ticket was acquired at a Publix supermarket located in Neptune Beach, Florida.
The individual or individuals in possession of the ticket can decide between receiving an estimated lump sum of $783.3 million (pre-tax) or opting for the annuity alternative. The annuity entails an initial payment followed by 29 annual payments that progressively rise in amount, ultimately reaching the total jackpot minus taxes.
Following its previous win in mid-April in New York, the jackpot had been progressively increasing. Over the course of 31 subsequent drawings, no one managed to match all six numbers. However, this streak came to an end during the 32nd drawing.
The victorious combination consisted of the numbers 13, 19, 20, 32, and 33, complemented by a Mega Ball number of 14. Tuesday’s draw stood as the third largest in the annals of U.S. lottery records. The likelihood of clinching the jackpot was approximately 1 in 302.58 million.
During the month of February, a triumphant ticket purchased at a gas station close to Los Angeles laid claim to an astonishing $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot, solidifying its place as the most considerable prize ever seen in the realm of lotteries.
In January 2016, fortunate tickets were acquired in California, Florida, and Tennessee, granting them access to a staggering $1.586 billion Powerball reward, reminiscent of a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
The Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday marked the second occasion this summer when a billion-dollar reward was on the line. In the previous month, a fortunate Powerball participant acquired a winning ticket in Los Angeles, securing the remarkable $1.08 billion jackpot for that particular game.
Mega Millions tickets are available for $2 apiece and can be purchased in every state except Alabama, Utah, Alaska, Hawaii, and Nevada. Additionally, they are offered in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The draws occur every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
