- Wednesday, October 16, 2024
On Tuesday night, the Mega Millions drawing revealed the lucky winner of the largest jackpot in the game's 21-year history. After months of unsuccessful attempts, someone in Florida struck gold.
Annuity or Lump Sum Payout
The winner now has the option to claim their winnings by choosing an annuity, which includes both an upfront payment and 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each time. Alternatively, they can opt for a lump sum payout of approximately $783.3 million before taxes, according to the Mega Millions lottery.
Slim Odds, Monumental Win
To win the top prize, players had to match all five white balls ranging from numbers 1 to 70, and the gold Mega Ball numbered 1 to 25. The odds of achieving this astonishing feat were a staggering 1 in 302,575,350.
Putting these odds into perspective, it's worth noting that the population of the United States is 331.9 million. Comparatively speaking, individuals have a higher chance of being struck by lightning at least once in their lifetime (1 in 15,300), according to the National Weather Service.
Additional Winners
In addition to the record-breaking jackpot, Tuesday's drawing produced seven winners who each claimed a $1 million prize for matching all five white balls. The odds of winning this secondary prize were 1 in 12,607,306.
Every System Has a Chance
The Mega Millions website emphasizes that there is no superior method for choosing randomly generated picks. Instead, players are encouraged to use whatever system works best for them, including creating their own unique number combinations.
Mega Millions Milestones
Since its establishment in 2002, Mega Millions has experienced a series of monumental jackpots. Starting with a $1 billion jackpot in 2018, there have been four subsequent billion-dollar grand prizes, including the current one. In January, a Mega Millions ticket holder claimed a phenomenal $1.348 billion grand prize.
Availability and Price
Mega Millions tickets, priced at $2 each, are available for purchase in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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