20-year-old Florida man claims $451M Mega Millions jackpot

Jan 12, 2018, 4:59 pm (97 comments)

Mega Millions

By Todd Northrop

He's not old enough to drink but he's $451 million richer.

A 20-year-old Florida man has come forward with the lone winning $451 million Mega Millions jackpot ticket from the January 5th drawing.

Shane Missler, who bought the winning Mega Millions ticket from a 7-Eleven in Port Richey, chose to claim a one-time, lump sum payment of $281.9 million.

"I'm only 20, but I hope to use it to pursue a variety of passions, help my family and do some good for humanity," Missler said in a news release from the Florida Lottery on Friday.

Missler said he wasn't surprised that he had won and that he had "a feeling" that he might.

When he realized he had won, he called his brother first.

On his Facebook page on Jan. 5, the evening of the drawing, Missler had also shared a brief post, "Oh. My. God."

He shared the news with his father over coffee the following day.

Missler will actually pocket $281,874,999.00 after taking the lump-sum payment for his winning ticket, according to the Florida Lottery.

The ticket was bought at the 7-Eleven at 7131 Ridge Rd. in Port Richey, which is is northwest of Tampa in Pasco County.

The winning numbers were: 28, 30, 39, 59, and 70, with Mega Ball number 10.

The $451 million jackpot started building from a $15 million starting point on Oct. 17, 2017. It took 23 consecutive drawings without a top prize winner to accumulate the massive jackpot.

Missler's winnings are the 6th-largest jackpot ever by a single lottery ticket.

Under a rules change that took effect on Oct. 31, Mega Millions now starts at a $40 million jackpot, and the jackpot grows a minimum of $5 million for each drawing that does not have a winner. The upcoming drawing on Friday night features a $45 million grand prize.

Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 44 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. Tickets cost $2 each.

The Mega Millions winning numbers are published at USA Mega (www.usamega.com) minutes after the drawing takes place.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

BEZ22's avatarBEZ22

What a wonderful blessing to  start off the new year.

 

Congratulations..

Macdawgg

20 yrs old and won and I've been playing for 40yrs and STILL can't win a lottery!

 

Oh well hopefully before I hit 90!

jacintasc

This boy. yep boy's life will be ruined. A 20 y/o lacks the life experience to fend off all the scam and con artists out there. When I was 20 I was in college and not playing the lotto. Eventually, LP will post horrible stuff that happened to him during his lifetime

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by jacintasc on Jan 12, 2018

This boy. yep boy's life will be ruined. A 20 y/o lacks the life experience to fend off all the scam and con artists out there. When I was 20 I was in college and not playing the lotto. Eventually, LP will post horrible stuff that happened to him during his lifetime

Skeptical time will spin a most curious yarn soon enough I reckon, I just wonder which "curse of the lottery" will befall him jejeje

 

but then he may surprise us all yet

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Quote: Originally posted by Macdawgg on Jan 12, 2018

20 yrs old and won and I've been playing for 40yrs and STILL can't win a lottery!

 

Oh well hopefully before I hit 90!

It will happen Mac, keep on buying and believing  Thumbs Up

lejardin's avatarlejardin

I agree we may be reading about his misfortune and being taken advantage of.  His age does not give him the experience to deal with such a tremendous amount of money.  Even at my age, I lack experience to handle such a tidy sum but gimme a try lol!

Good Luck to the winner and I mean that sincerely.  Maybe he needs to get off Facebook?

Artist77's avatarArtist77

I know I have always been naturally careful with money and I was in college also. He hopefully will have good common sense so he may not go too crazy with the money. Wisdom about money is not always age related. I come across more than a few over age 40 or  50 professionals who have massive debt and have not saved or invested a dime and they are dependant on their wages. And one does not need to know everything about a topic, but if he has the good sense to do the research and hire the experts, he will have a good chance of not blowing it all.

Most lp'ers know you have to do your homework if you have a major win.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Shane Missler has a little less than $175 million dollars to work with. He now needs excellent advice and professional help. Open the yellow pages, go online, ask friends and family for referrals. Shane is set for the rest of his life. He could live for another sixty to seventy years. Maybe he will welcome in the next Century. Congratulations to him and his family! Party

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on Jan 12, 2018

I know I have always been naturally careful with money and I was in college also. He hopefully will have good common sense so he may not go too crazy with the money. Wisdom about money is not always age related. I come across more than a few over age 40 or  50 professionals who have massive debt and have not saved or invested a dime and they are dependant on their wages. And one does not need to know everything about a topic, but if he has the good sense to do the research and hire the experts, he will have a good chance of not blowing it all.

Most lp'ers know you have to do your homework if you have a major win.

I Agree! totally with Artist77. Homework is needed here.  was it a quick pick?

konane's avatarkonane

Congratulations Shane Missler on your jackpot! I wish you continued good luck and much wisdom throughout life. 

music*'s avatarmusic*

I just googled Florida taxes. Florida is one of seven states that have no income tax. That will leave Shane Missler with $175,500,000.00 

 As long as he only makes small mistakes like going on Facebook he should be set for life. 

 Prenups are mandatory here. 

 Shane is already in Florida which is the destination of past winners. Wealth abounds there. But so are the sleaze and criminals too.

benjibanks's avatarbenjibanks

This is going to be a huge test for this kid.  He now has a target on his back and he also has to deal with unchecked self destructive desires. 

 

Many pitfalls await but if he has a solid foundation, he might might be a quick learner.

zephbe's avatarzephbe

Quote: Originally posted by jacintasc on Jan 12, 2018

This boy. yep boy's life will be ruined. A 20 y/o lacks the life experience to fend off all the scam and con artists out there. When I was 20 I was in college and not playing the lotto. Eventually, LP will post horrible stuff that happened to him during his lifetime

Let's hope he listens to wise counsel and enjoy his winnings.  Don't write him off.

malin1257's avatarmalin1257

CONGRATS to Missler.  Agree with his pursuits, all except "do some good for humanity".  *&%# Humanity.  I would have   nothing for  "vulgar, vile, racist" humanity.

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