Someone in the US became a billionaire after Friday’s Mega Millions lottery, but we may never know the identity of the lucky winner or winners.
The Speedway gas station in Des Plaines, Illinois sold a ticket matching the winning numbers of 13, 36, 45, 57 and 67 plus the Mega Ball 14. The buyer won a $1.34 billion prize paid out over 29 years, but could also choose the cash jackpot – $780.5 million. The gas station that sold the prize will also receive a $500,000 bonus.
As of Monday, the winner hasn’t stepped forward, and there’s a good chance we won’t know his identity when he does. Illinois is one of the few states that allows people who earn more than $250,000 to keep their name and city of residence secret.
“We still haven’t heard the winner,” said Harold Mays, director of the Illinois Lottery, according to Today. “We don’t know whether or not they know they’ve won this amazing prize. So we say to all our players – check your tickets.”
Mace said winners often take their time before coming forward.
“We’ve seen it – players tend to take more time because they want a guy to make sure they get their stuff together and kind of get back on track and hopefully a strategic way for them and their family,” he added.
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Mega Millions winners have 12 months from the drawing date to claim their prize, but only 60 days to choose between a lump sum payout or an annual amount.
The $1.37 billion prize was the second-largest jackpot in the game’s 20-year history, trailing only the $1.537 billion won in South Carolina on October 23, 2018. The jackpot has been rolling since it was last won at $20 million through Tennessee on April 15.
Other winning tickets sold Friday included $2 million prizes in Florida, Arkansas, Iowa and Pennsylvania and 20 second-tier prizes worth $1 million each: two each in Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina and Texas; and one each in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
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