A WARNING has been issued to the public to check if they purchased a Mega Millions ticket at a convenience store, as the $1,000,000 prize remains unclaimed.
The winning ticket was bought from a gas station in Texas on Tuesday, October 22.
The player correctly matched five out of six balls, winning the highest prize before the jackpot.
All we know right now is that the player bought the ticket from a C Mart in South Austin at 7811 S. First St., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78745.
And the winning numbers are 8, 43, 48, 58, 60 and 4.
The odds of winning $1,000,000 in the Mega Millions are one in 12,607,306.
What are the Mega Millions?
The Mega Millions is the only game in the U.S. that offers a second-tier prize as high as $5 million.
It is the only game that has awarded four jackpots over $1,000,000,000.
To win the jackpot, a player must correctly match all six numbers they select.
Five are selected from a pool of 70, and one “MegaBall” from a pool of 25.
However, there are a total of nine ways to claim a prize.
How much could I win?
- If you draw five balls plus the mega ball, you win the jackpot.
- Draw five balls and no mega ball, you win $1,000,000.
- Draw four balls and the mega ball: $500
- Three balls and the mega ball: $200
- Just three balls: $10
- Two balls and the mega ball: $10
- One ball and the mega ball: $4
- Mega ball: $2
What are the odds?
As stated on Mega Millions’ website, bear in mind these odds:
- Match six balls: Odds are one in 302,575,350
- Five balls: One in 12,607,306
- Four balls plus mega ball: One in 931,001
- Four balls: One in 38,792
- Three balls and mega ball: One in 14,547
- Two balls and mega ball: One in 693
- One ball and mega ball: One in 89
- Mega ball: One in 37
Overall chances of winning a prize: One in 24
Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?
Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?
The two payout methods can impact how much money you get from your prize.
Annuities pay out slowly in increments, often over 30 years.
Lump sums pay all at once but in a smaller amount, as taxes are withheld in one go. That means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam right away. Many states tax winnings as well.
Annuities can provide winners time to set up the financial infrastructure required to take in a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the benefit of being taxed only once.
Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts do not adjust with the value of a dollar. That means that you’ll likely be getting less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.
Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Experts have varying opinions on whether to take the lump sum or take the annuity.
It comes after a ticket worth $1,000,000 was sold in Austin on October 7.
The Million Dollar Loteria scratch-off ticket was bought at Pong Springs XPress at 13125 Pond Springs Road, Suite 101.
The next drawing is on Friday, October 25 with an estimated jackpot prize of $229,000,000.
Meanwhile, the national Powerball jackpot stands at $456,000,000, a gradual rise since August.
Drawings for Powerball happen at 9:59pm central time each Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
For the Mega Millions it’s Tuesday and Friday.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.
