Mega Millions jackpot: Florida ticket-holder wins $1.58 BILLION prize

Myrtle

Senior Member
Location
U.S.A.
One person in Florida has won the $1.58 billion Mega Millions prize - the largest jackpot in the lottery's history.

The winner will now have the option of claiming a single lump sum of around $757.2 million, or opting to claim the full prize in 30 annual payments of around $52.6 million.

The winning numbers were 13, 19, 20, 32, 33 with a gold Mega Ball of 14 - which matched one lucky player's ticket in Florida, according to the lottery's website.

The $1.58 billion prize is just larger than the $1.537 billion Mega Millions win in South Carolina in October 2018, according to lottery officials.

Before Tuesday night, no ticket had matched all six numbers drawn for nearly four months, since April 18. The $1.58 billion winner's identity has not been revealed.

The winning ticket was purchased at the Publix at 630 Atlantic Blvd. in Neptune Beach - it had opened less than three months ago and will now receive a $100,000 bonus. Neptune Beach has just over 7,000 residents and is 16 miles east of Jacksonville on Florida's Atlantic Coast.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12387913/Mega-Millions-jackpot-Florida-winner.html

Did you win?
 

Whoa, that's a big number! If a winner chooses the 30 years for a big lottery like that, is it set up so that heirs would receive it if an elderly person wins?
I don't know. I think I would just go for the lump sum. Either way it would be more money than I would spend.

I hope we get to see the winner and hear what their plans are.
 

Whoa, that's a big number! If a winner chooses the 30 years for a big lottery like that, is it set up so that heirs would receive it if an elderly person wins?
Found the answer to my question: "The MEGA MILLIONS annual payment option prize will go into the deceased winner's estate. Annual prize payments can continue to be paid to heirs, or the annual payment option may be cashed out by the winner's estate."
 
Found the answer to my question: "The MEGA MILLIONS annual payment option prize will go into the deceased winner's estate. Annual prize payments can continue to be paid to heirs, or the annual payment option may be cashed out by the winner's estate."
Even if worked out better tax-wise, I’d take the lump sum. Who knows if those funds will still be kept safe for 30 years.

Is Florida a state that allows the winner to remain anonymous?
 
I don't know. I think I would just go for the lump sum. Either way it would be more money than I would spend.

I hope we get to see the winner and hear what their plans are.
i hope whomever it is they contact a good financial planner/ tax attorney and CPA ..... first.
Many think they can figure it out but as soon as they are identified a Target is on them ..... by scams/ business deals and everyone else with their hand out .......
it takes time to really solidify a plan other then just we will help others or charities because they will be hearing from long lost relatives and every bizarre cause in the world.
 
I don't know. I think I would just go for the lump sum. Either way it would be more money than I would spend.

I hope we get to see the winner and hear what their plans are.
If they are smart, they are signing it, putting it in a safe deposit box, and setting up meetings with law firms and financial advisors well versed in lottery winnings. Then report to the lottery headquarters to be advised on next steps.
 
Good for them. I often buy a ticket when the winnings get to 500M. That would be enough to split the winnings with the entire family, and give them all a huge amount. Besides, most of the proceeds, at least here, go to the State education funding...helping to keep property taxes low.
 
You know somebody is going to say about the winner," Yes, he's won $1.5 billion, but is he happy?" I think he's a lot happier than when he was $1.5 billion poorer.
Everybody talks about the winner, but Floridians lost about $3+ billion playing the lottery.
What does Florida do with that money?

California claims it goes to schools, so in 2010, I asked a customer of mine, a local shool teacher, and he said

"Wellll....sort of. It works like this: Priority 1, it builds new school board offices and upgrades existing ones. Priority 2, bonus checks for all school board members. Then directors, deans, and principals get bonuses, and community colleges are included here. Finally, depending on lottery sales, vice-principals and merited teachers receive an annual bonus. And if sales are exceptionally good, end-of-year bonuses sometimes reach all the way down to clerics, and even a few janitors.

"A predetermined amount is set aside annually for libraries, labs, student stores, and a few student programs - the free-lunch program, for example - but all of the aforementioned priorities are met first, throughout the year."
 
I played but of course didn't win. I'm glad someone won but a little envious 🤣
 


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