The current jackpot prize amount has been collected since April 15, when the previous jackpot was won somewhere in Tennessee. True, then it was much less - "only" $20 million. This time the winning balls were numbers 13, 36, 45, 57 and 67, as well as the golden Mega Ball number 14.
This is the second largest jackpot prize in Mega Millions history and the third largest in the whole US lottery history. On the other hand, the biggest prize, $1.586 billion from Powerball, had to be divided among three winners in 2016. But two years later, also in Mega Millions, a winner who wished to remain anonymous single-handedly got $1.537 billion.
Subject to all taxes, the winner of this draw can expect to receive $780.5 million as a cash lump sum, or receive annual payments for the next thirty years. And the local retailer who sold the winning ticket will also receive a cash bonus of $500K.
"We have not heard from the winner yet," says Harold Mays, Illinois Lottery Director. "We don't know whether or not they're aware they've won this incredible prize. So we're telling all of our players - check your tickets." It would be a shame if the person who won such an incredible amount ends up either throwing away the lucky ticket or losing it. In any case, this person will go down in history - as a great lucky one or a great loser.