Lucky gambler wins $1.35 billion overnight by landing Mega Millions jackpot
One lucky gambler woke up a whole lot richer this week after winning the Mega Millions jackpot that had surged to an eye-watering $1.35 billion (£1.1bn).
The jackpot was won by an unnamed ticket-holder in Maine, while 14 other winners from California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas walked away with $1 million (£817k).
The winning numbers were 30, 43, 45, 46, 61, and the Mega Ball was 14.
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Before taxes, the lump cash option payout for this incredible win would come to $707.9 million (£578m).
So, not exactly billionaire status - but not far off, either.
To take home the full $1.35 billion (£1.1bn) prize, the unnamed winner would have to opt for the annuity option.
So it's not as glamorous as a truckload of cash, and you'll be more likely to keep control of your fortune with annual payouts doled out for the next 29 years.
This is the second-largest win in Mega Millions history, and the fourth-largest in US lottery history.
The only Mega Millions jackpot larger than this week's was October 2018's $1.53 billion (£1.25bn) prize won in South Carolina.
And the largest in US history was won last November by a California punter who walked away with $2.04 billion (£1.67bn).
Mega Millions is played across 45 states in the US, as well as Washington D.C and the U.S Virgin Islands.
Friday's jackpot win is also the seventh on a Friday the 13th since the game began in 2002. Maybe it's a lucky day, after all!
Commenting on this week's win, Pat McDonald, Lead Director for the Mega Millions Consortium, stated: “Congratulations to the Maine State Lottery, which has just won its first-ever Mega Millions jackpot.
"It’s the fourth billion-dollar jackpot in Mega Millions history. We thank all our retailers for their hard work during this spectacular run, and our customers for their enthusiasm and support.
"I hope the fun and excitement Mega Millions has generated inspires a winning attitude in our daily lives and towards everyone we meet. Here’s to a good year!"
At the time of writing, Mega Millions officials have not confirmed who the jackpot winner is, or whether they have come forward.
In the State of Maine, winners cannot remain anonymous, and have to at least release their first name and the first letter of their surname.
The jackpot for the next Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday, January 17, will now reset to its current starting value of $20 million (or $10.7 million cash).
Anyone know when the next Friday 13th is?
Ali Condon