Mega Millions Lottery Reaches $1.1 Billion Jackpot; Which States Might Announce Who the Winner Is?
During last Friday's draw, the Mega Millions jackpot reached $940 million. However, after no winner was declared once again, the jackpot has now reached an estimated $1.1 billion. Scott Olson/Getty Images

The Mega Millions jackpot during last Friday's draw reached $940 million. However, since no one secured the top prize, the next jackpot grew to an estimated $1.1 billion.

According to NBC News, the winning numbers for Friday night's drawing were 3, 20, 46, 59, 63, and Mega Ball 13.

The odds of winning were a measly one in 302.6 million, which means there was a very low chance of winning the $1.1 billion jackpot that ranked as the third-biggest in the game's history and the fifth-largest lottery jackpot ever in U.S. history.

The last time anyone won the jackpot prize of Mega Millions was October 14, 2022, which was split between winners in California and Florida.

The second-highest Mega Millions jackpot in history was $1.3 billion, which was won last July. T

he largest Mega Millions jackpot was worth $1.5 billion, which was won in 2018 by a ticket holder in South Carolina. The winner decided to take home the lump sum of $877,784,124 before taxes.

Retailer Who Sells Winning Mega Millions Ticket a Big Winner Too

No matter who wins the winning lottery ticket, whether for Power Ball or Mega Millions, the store where the winning ticket was bought will also receive some money.

The Associated Press reported that this is all part of the Retailer Bonus System, which works differently from state to state.

For example, if a retailer sells the winning ticket in Ohio, the retailer will get up to $100,000 in the retailer bonus. However, over in Illinois, retailers can get up to $500,000.

The largest would be in California, where the retailer bonus could be as big as $1 million. The owners of the winning retailers also win big in another way, as they often see a temporary surge in business after selling the winning ticket.

Thanks to superstitious players who often travel to the winning retailer and buy their tickets there, thinking lightning might strike twice in that same store.

Which States Announce the Names of Lottery Winners?

Another important thing to know is the state's disclosure laws. Some states will announce who won the winning ticket to the public, while others only disclose it with the winner's consent.

States like California, Idaho, Iowa, and Florida will announce lottery winners as they consider it "all a matter of public record."

That is to assure bettors that there is transparency in the process and there are indeed winners. The same goes for Missouri though the state only releases the winner's name if they consented to it.

On the other hand, Colorado will announce only the first name and the first letter of the family name, while in states like New York, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin, lottery winners' names are completely public.

The Hill reported that in Arizona, those who win $600 or more are confidential for 90 days after the prize has been awarded.

In New Mexico, those who win prizes over $10,000 will be listed on the agency's website, while Minnesota winners can choose to remain anonymous.

The same goes for Texas and West Virginia, as well as Virginia and North Dakota.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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