After millions of people played, one lucky person won over a billion dollars in the Mega Millions lottery, but the rightful owner has yet to come forward.
The numbers for the massive $1.6 billion drawing, which took place on October 23, were five, 28, 62, 65 and 70. The Megaball was five and the megaplier was 3. More than 20 people in more than 10 states matched all five numbers but failed to match the megaball, leaving their winnings at three million dollars each. Those winning tickets were sold in:
The most recent Mega Millions prize had been thought to be the largest lottery jackpot in history, but the final tally fell slightly below the estimated $1.6 billion total in the end. Time is running out for the winner of the $1.5 billion Mega Millions jackpot to claim their prize, officials said. The winning ticket for the Oct. 23 Mega Millions jackpot was sold at a gas.
- Arizona and California (8)
- Washington, D.C., and Florida (3)
- Iowa, Kentucky and Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia (2)
- New Mexico, New York (4)
- Wisconsin (1)
However, there was only one lucky ticket sold that matched all five numbers and the megaball, making it the only owner of the $1.6 billion jackpot. Although it's known that the ticket was sold in South Carolina, it's unclear who purchased it. Holli Armstrong of the South Carolina Education Lottery confirmed to Newsweek that the ticket is still unclaimed.
Although Mega Millions tickets are sold across the nation, rules differ depending on the state where tickets are being purchased and sold. Some states give winners a full year to claim their prize but in South Carolina, the winner has only 180 days to come forward. The deadline to claim the massive payout will be April 21.
When the person claims the prize, KC Mart, where the ticket was sold will receive a $50,000 bonus, according to WLTX.
If the person doesn't come forward, the official rules of Mega Millions dictate that each state will get back the money that it paid into the lottery to be used how the state sees fit. If it isn't claimed, South Carolina will lose out on $60 million in unrestricted tax revenue, WLTX reported.
Holli Armstrong with the South Carolina Education Lottery told WLTX that the winner needs to sign the back of the ticket, secure it in a safe location and speak to someone they trust such as a lawyer or financial advisor. Given the large sum of money, she said there's nothing to compare the winnings to.
'We're still very excited here at the South Carolina education lottery,' Armstrong said. 'Because this is such an unprecedented sum of money, we recognize it might take the winner a little bit longer than normal. But, there's really not a normal when you're talking about a $1.5 billion jackpot.'
Even if the person holding the golden ticket claims the prize, there's no guarantee that the public will know who purchased the ticket. In South Carolina, winners are legally allowed to stay anonymous. The other seven states that allow incognito winners are Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio and Texas.
The winner has the option to take the prize in annual payouts or as one lump sum. If they choose the cash option, the payout will be $913.7 million.
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Published 3:02 PM EST Jan 2, 2019
The winner of the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history remains a mystery more than two months after the drawing, raising the possibility the ticket's owner may not realize a staggering $1.5 billion fortune awaits.
The winning ticket for the Mega Millions drawing Oct. 23 was sold in Simpsonville, South Carolina, a quiet hamlet 90 miles northwest of Columbia. The winner has until April 20 to claim the money.
David Stevenson, a CPA in Simpsonville, says that if someone is clutching the ticket, there is no better time than now to cash in.
'I'm not surprised they waited until 2019,' Stevenson told USA TODAY. 'If they do it now they have all year to set up a charitable foundation if they are so inclined.'
If the winner claimed the money late last year but didn't complete work on the foundation until 2019, the big charitable deduction wouldn't come in the same year the money came in, he said. But now, waiting would just cost the winner tens of thousands of dollars per day in interest income, he said.
'Another possibility is that, whoever won, lost the ticket or doesn't realize it's a winner,' he said. 'Nothing anyone can do about that.'
More: Winner of $1.5 billion Mega Millions jackpot has not claimed prize
More: $1.537B Mega Millions ticket sold at South Carolina store
The first decision the winner must make is whether to claim the cash option of approximately $878 million or the annuity – the full jackpot amount paid out over 29 years. Winners overwhelmingly take the cash option, figuring they can make more money investing it.
The winner isn't the only one who would lose out if the Mega Millions ticket is not cashed in by April 20. The ticket was sold in South Carolina, which would lose a state tax claim estimated at more than $60 million. The federal cut would be much more.
C.J. Patel, owner of the KC Mart where the ticket was sold, says business has picked up since the glare of the international spotlight shone on his store. Still, Patel stands to lose about $50,000 he would get from the lottery if the prize goes unclaimed.
'They said we aren't going to get anything until the prize is claimed,' Patel told USA TODAY on Wednesday. 'So, yes, we hope the winner claims it soon.'
If the money isn't claimed, it goes back to the states based on ticket sales. South Carolina would get $11.2 million, South Carolina Education Lottery spokeswoman Holli Armstrong said.
The lottery had suggested the winner not rush to claim the prize.
“We want you to take a deep breath, and before you come forward to claim the prize, sign the back of the ticket, secure the ticket in a safe location and seek council from a trusted financial planner, CPA, or lawyer,” the state lottery’s Chief Operating Officer Tony Cooper said in October.
For anyone scrounging around looking for old tickets, the winning numbers were 5, 28, 62, 65, 70 and Mega Ball 5.
The public may never know who claims the jackpot. South Carolina is one of eight states where winners can remain anonymous. Stevenson said no one has come to him looking for advice on how to invest $1.5 billion.
'And, unfortunately, I didn't buy it,' he said.
Published 3:02 PM EST Jan 2, 2019