News writer
A New Hampshire Lottery player has won the latest Tri-State Megabucks jackpot, taking home an estimated $3.58 million prize from Monday night's drawing.
Lottery officials confirmed that the winning ticket was sold at Shaw's on Dublin Road in Peterborough. The winning numbers were 9-15-28-34-35, and the Megaball was 2. The player matched all six numbers to secure the full jackpot, according to WMUR.
This marks the first Megabucks jackpot hit since June, when a ticket sold through NH iLottery claimed a prize worth about $1.6 million.
Game marks 40 years of regional lottery history
The win comes as the Tri-State Lotto Commission celebrates the 40th anniversary of Tri-State Megabucks - the first multi-state jackpot game in the United States. Created in 1985 by the lotteries of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, the game predates national games such as Powerball and Mega Millions.
Over the past four decades, Tri-State Megabucks players have claimed more than $876 million in jackpot winnings across the three states. Of that total, Maine players have taken home $407 million, New Hampshire players $312 million, and Vermont players $155 million.
Erle Pierce, chairman of the Tri-State Lotto Commission and the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, stated:
With nearly 500 jackpot winners and more than $876 million in total prizes won over four decades, Tri-State Megabucks has been a resounding success.
Pierce noted that the game continues to generate millions in revenue, supporting public education and state services across northern New England.
Origins and evolution of the game
The Tri-State Lotto Commission was established in 1985 through legislation passed in all three participating states. The partnership was created to allow the smaller lotteries to offer a competitive jackpot game that would be difficult to sustain independently.
The first Megabucks ticket was purchased on September 3, 1985, by New Hampshire Governor John Sununu at Rockingham Park in Salem. Just nine days later, Richard Campbell of South Portland, Maine, became the first jackpot winner, taking home $935,919.
Since its debut, 482 jackpots have been won — 216 in Maine, 174 in New Hampshire, and 98 in Vermont. The game's format has evolved over time, with adjustments to its prizes and draw structures. The current format asks players to pick five numbers from 1 to 41 and one Megaball from 1 to 6.
How to play and where to buy
Tri-State Megabucks tickets cost $2 per play, with a starting jackpot of $1 million and a second-tier prize of $30,000. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 7:59 p.m. Tickets are available at over 1,200 retailers in New Hampshire, 1,300 in Maine, and nearly 600 in Vermont, as well as online through NH iLottery.
New Hampshire also allows online couriers in the state.
Other games offered by the Tri-State Lotto Commission include Gimme 5, Pick 3/Pick 4 daily games, and Fast Play games.
The next Tri-State Megabucks drawing is scheduled for September 24, with an estimated jackpot of $3.1 million.
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