DETROIT (AP) – A winning ticket was sold for the $ 1 billion Mega Millions jackpot to someone who bought it in Michigan, making it the third largest 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.
The chances of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are 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.