DETROIT (AP) – Someone in Michigan bought the $ 1 billion Mega Millions prize winning ticket, which was the third largest lottery prize in US history.
The winning numbers in Friday night’s draw were 4, 26, 42, 50 and 60, with a Mega Ball of 24. The winning ticket was purchased at a Kroger store in the suburb of Novi, Detroit, Michigan said. Lottery.
“Someone in Michigan has woken up with life-changing news this morning and Kroger Michigan congratulates Michigan’s billionaire,” said Rachel Hurst, regional spokeswoman for the grocery chain. She declined to comment further.
The Mega Millions top prize had been growing since Sept. 15, when a winning ticket was sold in Wisconsin. The next estimated lottery prize is $ 20 million.
Friday night’s draw came two days after a ticket sold in Maryland matched the six numbers drawn and won a $ 731.1 million Powerball big prize.
Only two lottery prizes in the United States have been larger than Friday’s prize. Three tickets were sold for a $ 1.586 billion Powerball prize in January 2016 and a winning ticket for a $ 1.537 billion Mega Millions prize in October 2018.
Prize figures refer to amounts if a winner opts for an annuity, paid in 30 annual installments. Most winners choose a cash prize, which for the estimated Mega Millions prize would be $ 739.6 million before taxes.
In Grosse Ile, a suburb south of Detroit, 126 people bought more than 600 tickets for Friday’s draw, but did not win the prize. They hoped to earn enough money to replace a publicly owned bridge on their island in the Detroit River that has been closed indefinitely for major repairs. The only other transportation option for the island’s 10,000 residents is a privately owned toll bridge.
“We used this to lift our spirits and dream a little,” organizer Kyle de Beausset said. “Of course, we’re open to any help with the bridge, but I can’t imagine the winner would want to fund it.”
The odds of winning a Mega Millions prize were incredibly high, one in every 302.5 million.
The game is played in 45 states, as well as in Washington, DC and the US Virgin Islands.