News writer
The Florida Lottery is now able to announce the winner of the record-breaking 1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot from the drawing on August 8, 2023. The winner claimed their prize from the Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $794,248,882.
The winning numbers were 13,19, 20, 32, and 33, and the Mega Ball number was 14. The winning ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers and the Mega Ball number. The winning Mega Millions Quick Pick ticket was purchased from Publix at 630 Atlantic Boulevard in Neptune Beach. The retailer received a $100,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
The jackpot prize reached an unprecedented level after 32 rollovers from April to August. Not only did it make the winner very rich, but it also enabled the Florida Lottery to contribute $73.4 million to further education in Sunshine State.
The identity is revealed
The Florida Lottery was able to reveal the name of the mystery winner as Saltine Holdings LLC on Christmas day. Although the prize was claimed in September, according to Florida law, the winner was “exempt pursuant to F.S. 24.1051.” which means that their name had to remain confidential. However, after a period of 90 days, the law states that the winner’s name no longer has to remain confidential. Since May 2022, under Florida law, the names of lottery winners who claim a prize of $250,000 or more are temporarily exempt from public disclosure.
Big Mega Millions winners
Although the 1.6 billion win was the biggest to date, there have been other huge Mega Million winners, including:
- $1.537 billion: The winning ticket was purchased in South Carolina at the KC Mart #7 in Simpsonville. The winning numbers in the August 8, 2023, drawing were 13, 19, 20, 32, 33, and Mega Ball number 14. The anonymous winner chose the cash option of a one-time payment of $877,784,124.
- $1.348 Billion: The winning ticket was purchased in Maine at the Hometown Gas & Grill located in Lebanon. The winning numbers in the January 13, 2023, drawing were 30, 43, 45, 46, 61, and Mega Ball number 14. The winner, LaKoma Island Investments, LLC, opted for the one-time lump sum payment of $723.5 million cash.
- $1.337 Billion: The winning ticket was purchased in Illinois at a Speedway gas station in Des Plaines. The winning numbers in the July 29, 2022, drawing were 13, 36, 45, 57, 67, and Mega Ball number 14. The prize was split between two anonymous winners.
- $1.05 Billion: The winning ticket was purchased in Michigan at a Kroger in Novi. The winning numbers in the January 22, 2021, drawing were 4, 26, 42, 50, 60, and Mega Ball number 24. After taxes, the four-member Wolverine FLL Club took home $557 million.
About Mega Millions in Florida
The Sunshine State joined Mega Millions in 2013. Since then, the lottery game has generated over $1.10 billion for education and has awarded more than $1.84 billion in prizes to 76.9 million players. It has also created 135 millionaires, including five jackpot winners.
Enjoy playing Meg Millions, and remember to play responsibly!
