Texas Ticket Wins $800 Million Mega Millions Jackpot
A single ticket sold in Texas has won the massive $800 million Mega Millions jackpot. The winning ticket was purchased at a Murphy USA gas station located at 7520 Highway 90A in Sugar Land. This jackpot is the seventh largest in Mega Millions history, making it a significant win for the lucky ticket holder. The winning numbers for the Tuesday, September 10 drawing were 1, 2, 16, 24, 66, and the Mega Ball was 6. The Megaplier was 4x.
Florida Ticket Wins $1 Million
In addition to the Texas jackpot winner, a ticket purchased in Florida also won big. This ticket matched five numbers, earning a $1 million prize. The winning ticket was bought at the Big Boss Store at 1739 US Highway 331 South in DeFuniak Springs. This win adds to the excitement for Florida residents who participated in the Mega Millions drawing.
Additional Million-Dollar Winners
Four other tickets matched five numbers, each winning $1 million. These tickets were sold in California, New York, Washington, and another in Florida. The winning numbers for these tickets were the same as the jackpot-winning numbers: 1, 2, 16, 24, 66, and the Mega Ball was 6. The Megaplier was 4x, which did not affect the $1 million prizes.
Details on the Winning Tickets
The Texas ticket holder has the option to choose between the full $800 million payout spread over 30 annual installments or a lump sum cash prize of $404.2 million. After the mandatory 24% federal tax withholding, the cash prize decreases to $307 million. Depending on the winner’s taxable income, they could face a federal marginal tax rate of up to 37%, reducing their total winnings further to $254.6 million.
Previous Drawings and Jackpot Roll Over
In the previous drawing on Friday, September 6, no one matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball for the $740 million jackpot. This led to the jackpot rolling over to the $800 million prize won on September 10. The streak of rollovers started on June 7 after someone in Illinois won a previous jackpot on June 4 for $560 million.
Next Mega Millions Drawing
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Friday, September 13 at 11 p.m. EDT. The jackpot will reset to $20 million with a cash option worth $10.1 million. Mega Millions tickets start at $2 each, and players can purchase them in 47 localities, including 45 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
How to Play Mega Millions
To play Mega Millions, players pick six numbers from two separate pools: five white balls numbered from 1 to 70 and one gold ball numbered from 1 to 25. Players can choose their own numbers or opt for Easy Pick/Quick Pick for auto-drawn numbers. The Megaplier feature, available in most states, increases non-jackpot prizes by two to five times for an additional $1 per play. Before each regular drawing, the Megaplier is drawn from a pool of 15 balls (five marked “2X,” three marked “4X,” and one marked “5X”).
Claiming Prizes in Florida
Winners in Florida must claim their prizes within 180 days from the date of the drawing. For single-payment cash option claims, winners must claim within 60 days after the draw date. Florida law does not allow winners to remain anonymous; their information is public record. However, winners claiming prizes of $250,000 or greater can remain anonymous for 90 days unless waived by the winner.
Odds of Winning
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are extremely low, with players having a 1 in 302,575,350 chance to match all five white balls plus the gold Mega Ball. Despite the low odds, the excitement and potential for life-changing winnings continue to draw millions of participants.
Top 10 Biggest Jackpots
As of September 10, 2024, the largest Mega Millions jackpots include several prizes reaching or surpassing $1 billion. There have been 11 lottery jackpots reaching or surpassing $1 billion, with only one surpassing $2 billion. These massive jackpots continue to capture the public’s attention and drive ticket sales.
Historical Context
This recent win marks the fifteenth time the Mega Millions jackpot has been won in Texas since December 2003 when the state joined the game. It is also the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won during September and the third prize won this year. The excitement surrounding these wins highlights the enduring popularity of the Mega Millions lottery.
Conclusion
The recent Mega Millions drawing has brought immense joy to the lucky winners in Texas and Florida. With an $800 million jackpot and several million-dollar prizes, the excitement and anticipation for future drawings continue to grow. As players eagerly await the next drawing, the dream of winning big remains alive for millions across the country.
