After Tuesday night’s drawing, the Mega Millions jackpot has finally gotten a winner and it’s someone from Texas.
News4SA reports that the ticket was purchased in Sugar Land at Murphy Express 8848. The ticket matched the winning numbers, which were 1, 2, 16, 24, and 66, together with a gold Mega ball of 6. The estimated amount won is $800 million and the winner has a one-time cash option of close to $400 million.
This will be the largest lottery prize ever won by a player from Texas and also the 7th largest prize in the game’s history. According to the executive director of the Texas Lottery, Ryan Mindell, the organization is “beyond thrilled to celebrate Texas’ largest-ever jackpot winner and can’t wait to meet and congratulate them in person.” The lucky winner’s identity is still unknown and they have less than 180 days to claim the jackpot.
Other winners from this year’s Mega Millions jackpot draws have come from Illinois and New Jersey. One person from Illinois won the sum of $550 million in June, while the other won more than a billion dollars in March.
The next drawing is scheduled for September 13 and the accumulated sum to be won is estimated at $20 million. To join the game, you will need to first purchase a ticket either at your local gas station or at a grocery/convenience store. You also have the option of simply obtaining one online.
Once you have your ticket, the next step is to pick a total of 6 numbers. You are allowed to choose five numbers between 1 and 70. These numbers are for your white balls. The sixth number is for the gold Mega ball and should be chosen from 1 to 25. If your chosen numbers match the winning numbers announced every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m., you win the Mega Millions jackpot.