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A seemingly mundane trip to the grocery store has made one lucky person the winner of a $5 million prize – but they are yet to claim it.
The Mega Millions win from Tuesday is still unclaimed, and Florida officials are urging players to check their tickets.
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The winning lottery ticket comes from the prize draw held on Tuesday, December 10.
A BIG WIN
The latest numbers from the draw were 12, 14, 26, 48, 52, the Mega Ball was 21, and the Megaplier this time was the number 5.
Matching the games Megaplier means that the winning $1 million prize increased to a whopping $5 million for one lucky player in Florida.
In fact, there wasn’t just one person who was lucky enough to get a win.
Four people matched all five numbers without the Megaplier, so they each walk away with $1 million.
With $5 million up for grabs, it’s really good news for one person, but there is a deadline to claim the prize.
Players have one year from the date of the draw to claim their prize – this means you have until December 10, 2025.
The lucky winner purchased their winning ticket at a grocery store in Florida.
It’s worth checking if you’ve picked up a Mega Millions ticket on your recent grocery store trip.
Now, officials are reminding players to check their tickets because, you never know, you might be the winner.
If the prize isn’t claimed by the deadline, the $5 million is returned to the state.
The jackpot now sits at $619 million with a cash option of $293.6 million for the next draw on Friday.
It’s worth checking your tickets now, you could be Florida’s latest multi-millionaire.
WAYS TO PLAY
To play Mega Millions, you pick five numbers from 1-70 and a Mega Ball from 1-25.
An additional option to input a Megaplier from 2-5 for extra winnings is also available.
Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?
Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?
The two payout methods can impact how much money you get from your prize.
Annuities pay out slowly in increments, often over 30 years.
Lump sums pay all at once but in a smaller amount, as taxes are withheld in one go. That means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam right away. Many states tax winnings as well.
Annuities can provide winners time to set up the financial infrastructure required to take in a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the benefit of being taxed only once.
Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts do not adjust with the value of a dollar. That means that you’ll likely be getting less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.
Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Experts have varying opinions on whether to take the lump sum or take the annuity.
You can play the Mega Millions with drawings held twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 pm ET.
For large winning amounts, you’ll likely first have to visit a lottery claim center or submit your claim via mail, and you might need to bring along additional documentation.
So what are you waiting for? We can think of five million good reasons to check your tickets.
With the holiday season fast approaching, we’re sure there’s a Floridian out there that’s about to have a very merry Christmas.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.
