'Incredibly blessed': Anonymous players claim $349 Mega Millions jackpot in Illinois
'Incredibly blessed': Anonymous players claim $349 Mega Millions jackpot in Illinois
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Mega Millions: Big changes coming to lottery
Officials with the lottery drawing say prices for a Mega Millions ticket will be going up, but they also say the tradeoff for the higher prices will be larger jackpots.
Fox - 10 Phoenix
Multiple Illinois lottery players were "blessed" enough to walk away with a lump sum after winning the Mega Millions jackpot in March.
The anonymous winners claimed the $349 million Mega Millions jackpot on April 30, about a month after the drawing took place, state lottery officials said in a news release.
The individuals weren't the only to benefit from the cash. Casey's General Store in Cortland, a city over 700 miles west of Chicago, received a $500,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
"We took a chance and bought a single Quick Pick ticket," the individuals told state lottery officials. "We're absolutely ecstatic and feel incredibly blessed. We plan to use this money to do good – this unbelievable prize will truly be the gift that keeps on giving."
The "historic" win also marked the fourth time an Illinois lottery player has won a Mega Millions jackpot in nearly four years. The next Mega Millions drawing, which has an estimated jackpot of $80 million, will take place on May 2.
USA TODAY reached out to Illinois lottery officials on April 30 for additional details about the winners.
When is the next Mega Millions drawing? And how do I play?
The next drawing, where the winning numbers for the $80 million jackpot will be determined, is Friday, May 2 at 11 p.m. ET.
Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. Tickets are available up to 15 minutes before the drawing takes place.
Five of the numbers will come from white balls whose numbers range between 1 to 70 and the last number will come from the gold Mega Ball whose numbers range between 1 and 25. Players may also select the "Easy Pick" or "Quick Pick" options, which will have the computer randomly generate six-number sequence.
The "Megaplier," a $1 add-on feature, that can increase non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times. Before each regular Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier is drawn. From a pool of 15 balls, six are marked with "3X," five are marked with "2X," three with "4X" and one with "5X."
Texas Lottery Commission head resigns: Resignation comes amid state investigations into controversial wins
Where can I buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visitjackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
When is Apple's WWDC 2025 event? Start time, rumors, more
When is Apple's WWDC 2025 event? Start time, rumors, more Show Caption Hide Caption How to use AI rewriting tools Artificial Intelligence can instantly proofread your writing and make suggestions to tweak the tone of a message, paper or presentation. Problem Solved Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference is less than a day away, though it appears that the event will see a restrained rollout compared to the AI extravaganza held a year ago. The week-long event will kick off with a keynote address on Monday, June 9, and run through Friday, June 13. There will be more than 100 technical sessions for developers, as well as group and one-on-one lab sessions, Apple announced in a news release. USA TODAY will provide live coverage of Monday's keynote, along with the latest updates on the company reveals. Here's what you need to know before Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference 2025. How to watch WWDC 2025 The keynote for WWDC 2025 takes place at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on June 9 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT and be followed by a "Platforms State of the Union." The keynote is set to be streamed on Apple TV, the Apple YouTube page and at USA TODAY will also provide live coverage. What might be revealed at WWDC 2025? Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple is preparing a modest rollout of artificial intelligence features, targeting WWDC 2026 to make a larger splash. Gurman wrote in the Power On newsletter that the most significant AI announcement this year will be the opening of Apple's Foundation Models to third-party developers. He noted that the move is being made in hope of spurring the creation of new AI features and apps to help Apple catch up in the artificial intelligence market. Gurman also reported that Apple appears set to add a centralized gaming app in the next iOS update. He indicates the app will be preinstalled with the update and will be a place for users to launch games, find new titles, view leaderboards and communicate with other players. "The new app will serve as a Game Center replacement, and is more ambitious," Gurman wrote. "But it's unlikely to shake up the industry." iOS naming system to change with update: Reports Apple appears set to change the naming system for iOS on Monday, according to Gurman. The company will move from numbering operating system updates sequentially to numbering them by year in a manner similar to the way car models are identified. Under the new system, the Monday update will be iOS 26 instead of iOS 19. Gurman also reported that the Mac operating system will be named Tahoe after the Californian forest.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- USA Today
RBC Canadian Open 2025 purse, payout: Prize money breakdown for PGA Tour event
RBC Canadian Open 2025 purse, payout: Prize money breakdown for PGA Tour event Show Caption Hide Caption Scottie Scheffler wins Memorial at course he once watched as a fan From fan to champion, Scottie Scheffler wins the Memorial on a course he once dreamed of playing. PGA TOUR The highly anticipated RBC Canadian Open, featuring the world's top golfers, kicked off at the esteemed TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ontario, on Thursday, June 5, and culminates on Sunday, June 8. With the PGA Tour title at stake, the champion of the 2025 RBC Canadian Open will be awarded a staggering $1.764 million from a total prize purse of $9.8 million. The runner-up will not be far behind, earning $1 million, while the third-place finisher will take home $676,200 for their outstanding performance. Here is a breakdown of the prize money earning for the 2025 RBC Canadian Open. WHEN IS 2025 RYDER CUP? Dates, time and what to know for golf event What is the total purse for the 2025 RBC Canadian Open? The total purse for the 2025 RBC Canadian Open is $9.8 million. The first place winner will take home $1.764 million of the prize purse. RBC Canadian Open: Prize money breakdown Money amounts don't include ties. All figures according to the PGA Tour. First place : $1,764,000 : $1,764,000 Second place : $1,068,200 : $1,068,200 Third place : $676,200 : $676,200 Fourth place : $480,200 : $480,200 Fifth place: $401,800 $401,800 Fifth place: $355,250 $355,250 Seventh place: $330,750 $330,750 Eighth place: $306,250 $306,250 Ninth place: $286,650 $286,650 10th place: $267,050 $267,050 11th place: $247,450 $247,450 12th place: $227,850 $227,850 13th place: $208,250 $208,250 14th place: $188,650 $188,650 15th place: $178,850 $178,850 16th place : $169,050 : $169,050 17th place : $159,250 : $159,250 18th place : $149,450 : $149,450 19th place : $139,650 : $139,650 20th place : $129,850 : $129,850 21st place : $129,850 : $129,850 22nd place : $129,850 : $129,850 23rd place: $102,410 $102,410 24th place: $94,570 $94,570 25th place: $86,730 $86,730 26th place: $78,890 $78,890 27th place: $75,950 $75,950 28th place: $73,010 $73,010 29th place: $70,070 $70,070 30th place: $67,130 The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Ohio winner claims $112 million Mega Millions jackpot in trust
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WCMH) — The lucky Ohioan who was the first Mega Millions jackpot winner under the game's new rules has claimed the multi-million dollar prize. The Ohio Lottery announced in a news release that the money won in the April 18, 2025, drawing has been placed in The Ironwood Family Trust, for which James S. Ausse, Esq., is named trustee. The winner had 180 days, or until Oct. 15, 2025, to claim the prize. The ticket, worth $112 million, was purchased at Giant Eagle, 4401 Mayfield Road in South Euclid. According to the lottery, the winner chose their own numbers, which were — 5-13-15-17-28, with the Mega Ball 1. Instead of the 30-year annuity, the winner selected the cash option of $49.3 million. A total of $35.5 million will be placed in the trust after mandatory state and federal taxes of 28%. The overhauled Mega Millions game began on April 5, with the promise of bigger jackpots, better odds and a built-in multiplier that does not cost the player extra money and improves every non-jackpot win by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X. The ticket price was raised from $2 to $5 per wager, however, the game was designed to have no break-even prizes, with all winning tickets totaling $10 or more. Additionally, its jackpots start at $50 million. Since joining Mega Millions, Ohio has had 21 Mega Millions jackpot winners and 65 second-tier winners of $1 million or more. The nationwide game is sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are conducted at 11 p.m. Eastern on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta. The next Mega Millions drawing is Friday, June 6, at 11 p.m. The jackpot amount is currently at $223 million. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
