DETROIT (AP) – Someone from Michigan bought the winning ticket for the $ 1 billion Mega Millions jackpot, which was the third biggest lottery prize in US history.
The winning numbers for 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 Novi suburb of Detroit, the Michigan Lottery said.
“Someone in Michigan woke up to life-changing news this morning, and Kroger Michigan congratulates Michigan’s newest billionaire,” said Rachel Hurst, a regional food chain spokeswoman. She declined to comment.
The top Mega Millions award has risen since Sept. 15, when a winning ticket was sold in Wisconsin. The next estimated lottery jackpot is $ 20 million.
Friday night’s draw came just two days after a ticket sold in Maryland equaled all six numbers drawn and won a $ 731.1 million Powerball jackpot.
Only two lottery prizes in the US were bigger than Friday’s jackpot. Three tickets for a $ 1.586 billion Powerball jackpot were sold in January 2016, and a winning ticket was sold for a $ 1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot in October 2018.
Jackpot figures refer to amounts if a winner opts for a rate, paid in 30 annual installments. Most winners choose a cash prize, which for the estimated jackpot at Mega Millions 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 jackpot. They hoped to earn enough money to replace a public property bridge on their island in the Detroit River, which was closed indefinitely for major repairs. The only other transportation option for the island’s 10,000 inhabitants is a private toll bridge.
“We used this to lift our spirits and dream a little,” said organizer Kyle de Beausset. “Of course, we are open to any help with the bridge, but I can’t imagine the winner would want to fund it.”
The chances of winning a Mega Millions jackpot were incredibly steep, at one in 302.5 million.
The game is played in 45 states, as well as in Washington, DC and the US Virgin Islands.