Mega Millions winner loses $50 million in Washington, but receives lottery consolation prize
A Mega Millions player in Washington narrowly missed the $50 million grand prize in the April 22 draw, but still walked away with a $2 million consolation prize for matching all five main numbers. The draw’s jackpot for the next drawing has now grown to $60 million.
The world of lotteries is one where luck and destiny can strike any player. The odds of changing your life are wide open, and this was the case for a Mega Millions player who lost $50 million. The story takes place in Washington, where the man was ready to check his ticket during the April 22 draw.
The beginning was magnificent as he matched all five main numbers. However, when it came time to reveal the “Mega Ball”, luck was not with him as he missed his guess. Although he didn't win the big prize, the US lottery still gave a player from Washington a consolation prize of $2 million for matching the five numbers — 23, 39, 49, 52, and 65, but the Mega Ball was 22.
Did anyone match all the numbers in Mega Millions?
Not one winner was announced! In a way, most people would be upset but, for a rare few, were lucky enough to have been playing. The grand prize has again increased to $60 million for the next Mega Millions draw. This will result in an estimated cash payout of $26.9 million, massively below the total amount of the prize, but the value sounds a lot more. Thus, attracting a lot of attention and thus most likely selling a lot more tickets with over half the chance of winning.
At the end of the day, like lottery winners before them, people won their share of prize money. Over 185,000 tickets were sold and won prizes from $10 to $30,000. The last winner of the Mega Millions was from Ohio, who won $112 million on April 18.
How does Mega Millions work, and how do you play in the United States?
The Mega Millions game begins its jackpot at $20 million; however, the jackpot often accumulates over time, because it takes a few rounds before many folks can win. The winning ticket-holder is entitled to the jackpot in a lump-sum payment that is reduced, but he or she will have the opportunity to pick up cash payments each year for 30 years.
To play Mega Millions, the player selects 5 out of 70 numbers plus a Mega Ball out of 25. Depending on how many numbers you match, there are various prize levels. The grand prize is one of the prize levels and can only be won if all numbers are matched.