News writer
A lucky ticketholder in Virginia won the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot prize this year - and the largest jackpot ever won in the state.
But after over a month, the winner still hasn't come forward, according to the Virginia Lottery.
What they won
The winner hit a jackpot of $348 million, which has a cash value of $155.5 million. The record-winning ticket contains drawing numbers 8-21-29-42-50, with Mega Ball 2. This marks the tenth time someone has won Mega Millions in Virginia since the game's inception 23 years ago.
Virginia rules
The ticketholder has 180 days after the win to claim their prize, which means the winner must come forward by September 25, 2025.
If the jackpot goes unclaimed, the profits will go toward K-12 education in Virginia. In 2024, the lottery raised more than $934 million for schools, which comprises 10% of the state's school budget. This jackpot could bump up that number this year, especially if the winner never surfaces.
The winner should mail their winning ticket to: Virginia Lottery Claims, P.O. Box 1254, Richmond, VA 23218-1254. The Virginia Lottery suggests using certified or registered mail and that the winner provide their full name and address on the envelope. For tickets worth more than $100, players should write their Social Security Number on the back.
A brand new law, enacted July 1, will keep the player anonymous. Winners of prizes over $1 million won't have their names and hometowns released unless they opt to go public.
The big store bonus
The ticket was purchased at the store E & C Mid-Atlantic in Burgess, Virginia. The store received $50,000 in commission for the win.
Virginia Lottery Executive Director Khalid R. Jones, who went to the store in person to deliver an oversized check to the store owner, stated:
This is a historic jackpot win in Virginia, the largest ever won in the Commonwealth. But it means more than just an incredible stroke of luck for the winner or winners. Proceeds from the sale of Virginia Lottery games support our K-12 public schools, and we see success thanks to our valuable retail partners. We are proud to partner with thousands of businesses, big and small, and help contribute to their bottom line with selling bonuses like this one.
The check's recipient, E & C Mid-Atlantic Vice President of Operations Juan Torres, said:
This may be the luckiest store in Virginia. All of us at E & C Mid-Atlantic are excited that this record-setting prize came from a ticket sold at our Burgess store. We are proud to work with the Virginia Lottery every day to help raise money for K-12 public education.
Mega Millions odds
Mega Millions drawings are on Tuesday and Friday nights at 11 p.m. Tickets cost $5 with a random multiplier feature. Odds of matching all six balls and winning the jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336. Mega Millions is the second-largest national jackpot game in the United States, behind Powerball.
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