A Florida resident just won $1.58 billion in the Mega Millions lottery

Jackson Progress Argus
 
A Florida resident just won $1.58 billion in the Mega Millions lottery
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A Florida ticket holder is the winner of a record-breaking Mega Millions lottery jackpot, valued at $1.58 billion, according to lottery officials. The ticket was sold at a Publix in Neptune Beach, Fla.

After estimated taxes and the winning state's cut, the lucky winner walks away with $783.3 million after 31 drawings failed to produce a winning ticket.

“A single ticket sold in the state matched all six numbers in the August 8 drawing – the white balls 13, 19, 20, 32, and 33, plus the gold Mega Ball 14,” Mega Millions announced on its website. “It’s the fourth time a jackpot-winning ticket has been sold in Florida; two prior wins were shared with other states, most recently a $502 million prize split with California last October 14.”

The $1.58 figure surpasses the old Mega Millions lottery payout of $1.53 billion, which was recorded in South Caroline in 2018. A Powerball jackpot winner who purchased a ticket in Los Angeles, Cal. last November still owns the biggest U.S. lottery record ever, at $2 billion.

Mega Million tickets cost $2 apiece and are available in 45 U.S. states and in the U.S. Virgin Islands

“Half of the proceeds from the sale of each Mega Millions ticket remains in the state where the ticket was sold, where the money supports designated good causes and retailer commissions,” Mega Millions reported.

The actual identity of the most recent Mega Millions winner won’t be known for at least 90 days, according to Florida law. Each U.S. state makes up its own rules on lottery winnings and anonymity.

If you didn’t cash in on the August 8 drawing, don’t fret.

The jackpot refreshes on August 11, to its current starting value of $20 million - $9.9 million of it in cash.

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