2 tickets from Idaho and Washington split $380 million Mega Millions jackpot
By Todd Northrop
Update: Final draw-time jackpot increased, cash value was largest ever
Update 2: California prizes added
After a lottery ticket buying frenzy swept across America this week, the massive, seemingly unstoppable Mega Millions jackpot has finally been taken down.
Tuesday's $380 million jackpot was the second-largest jackpot ever in the United States, second only to the $390 million Mega Millions jackpot on March 6, 2007.
Two tickets — one sold in Idaho and the other in Washington — matched all six numbers, and will evenly split the grand prize.
The official jackpot estimate was raised twice, on Monday and again on Tuesday, as sales continued to exceed expectations. After the final tally of sales, the final Mega Millions jackpot was $380 million, with a lump-sum cash value of $240,050,537.
Although the Tuesday jackpot will be recorded as the second-largest jackpot in history, the $240 million lump-sum cash value is the world's largest ever awarded. In comparison, the cash value for the March 6, 2007 jackpot was $233 million.
The winning numbers Tuesday night were 4, 8, 15, 25, and 47, with a Mega Ball number of 42. The Megaplier number was 4.
"Idaho is a very lucky place," said Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. "We are encouraging everyone who has played Mega Millions to check their tickets carefully for winners. We are also recommending all our players sign the back of their ticket prior to presenting it for payment. These tickets are bearer instruments and we want to ensure our winners protect their play."
In addition to the 2 jackpot winners, another 67 tickets matched the first 5 numbers (but not the Mega Ball number) for a $250,000 prize: 2 from Arkansas, 10 from California, 1 from Colorado, 1 from Connecticut, 5 from Georgia, 1 from Idaho, 4 from Illinois, 1 from Indiana, 2 from Kentucky, 6 from Massachusetts, 3 from Michigan, 1 from Nebraska, 3 from New Jersey, 11 from New York, 3 from North Carolina, 4 from Ohio, 1 from Pennsylvania, 2 from South Carolina, 2 from Tennessee, 2 from Texas, 1 from Virginia, and 1 from Wisconsin.
The ten California second-prize winners will each be awarded prizes of $209,300. Unlike the other Mega Millions states, California sets all prize amounts using a pari-mutuel formula that is calculated based on the actual sales and number of winners.
Winners have 180 days to claim their prizes in both Idaho and Washington.
Idaho Lottery offices will be open during regular business hours from 8 am to 5 pm Mountain Time.
Washington Lottery Offices are open Monday through Friday between 8 am and 5 pm Pacific Time.
out of millions of tickets purchased, and millions of combinations covered, and only 2 winners, all that previous talk about increasing your odds thru the purchase of more than one ticket was obviously like i said it was.....
.....a waste of money (at least from an increasing one's "odds" perspective).
from the $50 million mark on, i was only out $1 QP a draw.
tonight, i don't suffer from "buyers remorse"......lol
to put it quite simply, that sucks.
Oh well......16 bucks down the drain...but it was nice daydreaming about if I did win all day yesterday!!!
Congratulations to the winners!
That kind of money will really change lives.
It's very unfortunate that I live in VA.
The next Mega Millions winner should be from VA.
Good luck everyone!
Better to know you are not going to win (read the odds) and be supprised and happy. If you "know" you are going to win and do not win (like a LOT of us) you could be depressed today.
I'm with you "increase" we here in VA could use a good winner
well heres to the next Mega jackpot
I must say, when I woke up this morning, it's the very first time I had buyer's remorse - and that was before I checked to see what states were the big winner. I only spent around $40, but that's a HUGE amount for me. Usually it's just $5.
However, I haven't checked my tickets yet to see if I won $1 million, so hopefully....
What is the "megaplier" ??
Well I said I wanted to win mega million and I won 2.00 had the mega ball should have said I wanted to win the jackpot LOL
Guess I should've played Hurley's numbers
Would've had 4, 8, 15 and MB 42 = $150
Congrats to all the winners.
You can say that again. The people that won better do good with that money...
Random # picked at drawing which multiplies non-jackpot winnings. This draw it was 4. So all non-jackpot winnings were multiplied by 4....Extra $1 during play time. Not all states offer it
Also if you have 5/5 with MegaPlier and no Mega Ball automatic $1 Million
Wow! Somebody won from my state...it's about time. I think it's been about 4 yrs since the last winner....really was wishing it would have been me.
Congratulation to the 2 winners.
Interesting, that was brought up on a FL lottery blog not too long ago, in which those #s matched either 3 or 4 as well
I had 4 and 8 together, but only because my mom was born in April and my dad was born in August. (Also because yesterday was my birthday - that's the only reason I played). I won $2 with a bonus ball match on my birthday. Yay.
That prize should pay out far more than $150 if the odds of 3+1 are 1:13,781. That's why I don't play this game on any regular basis - the lower-tier prize payouts are lousy.
News story reported from within the drawing studio
I had one ticket, it's in the trash right now. I wonder how many people went way overboard hoping to win? The odds are crazy. I half expected
one person to win. I'm happy to see that 2 people won but wish it could have been more.
ah oh will, glad we know mm can sure pull a nice big run on us, all the players don't play to its high, so the 41 states helps out the must when its high, this run had even me guesting the amounts wrong it was higher!
but 67 5-0 winners also, this jackpot was doomed atfer that 5th white ball
i just told my self no star bucks coffe for me for the rest of the month, any money spent was jsut throw away money to begin with :P
was fun to dream about such high amounts :D
I'm so happy I didnt win last night.. The thought of not having my morning coffee in peace would have just ruined my day//
God Speed
Yes indeed VA is long overdue!!!
I see the odds is one big rotten fish in a tank!! something smells fishy to me!!!
I told my wife before the drawing that Idaho was going to be a winner how did i know? mega millions will shift from odds to geographical areas!! Take a minute to think about it every body and every state was in a freenzy,who win two laid back states who have not won in years!! im quite sure Idaho did not have lines of buyers at they retail stores wraped around the building!!! anyways congrats to the winners!!
THANKS FOR SHARING THIS AFTER THE DRAWING! I would of at least played the numbers :X
Congrats to Todd for breaking the old online record!
25,791
on January 4, 2011, 11:30 pm
If you really want to win a jackpot folks...stick with your Pick 5 game!
The "megaplier" was 4. So those who megaplied and won on the lower tier prizes received 4 times their wins.
So if you hit on the $150 level and megaplied, then you walk away with a nice $600 bucks. Not bad for a drawing, provided that the winner did not overspend.
I am happy to say that my family broke even in last night's drawing. We spent $20 on 10 combinations and won our $20 back. The same thing happened to us on 12-31-10.
So we are able to return the $20 to the gambling fund for our next venture.
To all my dear, dear, dear friends in Idaho and Washington that I have not seen for many, many years. I have been thinking of you a lot lately. We really should get together soon.
All My Love Forever,
Jack
BTW, when we meet, I have this terrific business opportunity I would like to tell you about.
haha that crazy, i use to play that number all the time too, lol