$1 Million Mega Millions ticket sold at Scarlet Pearl Casino

A lucky player in Mississippi is $1 million richer after purchasing a winning Mega Millions ticket at the Scarlet Pearl Casino and Resort in D'Iberville.

They matched all five numbers in the Tuesday night drawing, falling just one number short of the estimated $257 million jackpot.

Selling a ticket worth $1 million or more grants the casino a $5,000 bonus from the Mississippi Lottery.

One dollar short of millions more

The winning numbers were 10-18-27-37-61 with a Mega Ball of 5. Had the player spent an extra dollar on the Megaplier option, their prize would have tripled to a substantial sum of $3 million.

Claiming your winnings

The winner is urged to sign the back of their ticket and store it securely. Consulting with legal and financial advisors is highly recommended. They have 180 days to claim their prize in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters in Flowood.

The Mega Millions annuity offers one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments, each 5% larger than the previous. This option aims to protect the winner's financial security in the long term.

Alternatively, the winner can opt for a one-time lump-sum cash payment equal to the current jackpot prize pool.

How to play Mega Millions

Ready to play Mega Millions? It's simple: just purchase a playslip and follow these steps:

1. Choose five numbers between 1 and 70. You can either pick them yourself or use the Quick Pick option for random selection.
2. Select one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. Again, you can choose yourself or use Quick Pick.
3. For an extra dollar, add the Megaplier to potentially multiply your non-jackpot winnings by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times.
4. Play multiple drawings in advance for convenience by selecting the Multi-Draw option.

A growing jackpot

Tonight's Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $178 million, with a cash value of $81.3 million. The Mississippi Match 5 jackpot sits at $52,000, while Friday's Mega Millions jackpot boasts an estimated $284 million, with a cash value of $127.6 million.

About the Mississippi Lottery

Established in 2018, the Mississippi Lottery benefits both the state's infrastructure and education systems. Net proceeds up to $80 million are directed towards highway repairs and maintenance until June 30, 2028. After that, any funds exceeding $80 million will be transferred to the Education Enhancement Fund.