Current:Home > ScamsWho won the $810 million Mega Millions jackpot in Texas? We may never know. -Global Capital Summit
Who won the $810 million Mega Millions jackpot in Texas? We may never know.
View
Date:2025-04-27 14:19:26
Someone in Texas has won the $810 million Mega Millions game, making them the third Mega Millions jackpot winner of the year. But we may never know who bought the winning ticket in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land and scored a very sweet win.
The winner has the option to claim the prize anonymously because the Lone Star State allows winners of jackpots of over $1 million to keep their identity a secret.
"We are beyond thrilled to celebrate Texas’ largest-ever jackpot winner and can’t wait to meet and congratulatethem in person,” Ryan Mindell, executive director of the Texas Lottery, said in a news release announcing the winning ticket.
Texas is one of 17 states that allows national lottery winners to remain anonymous. The list of states includes Illinois, where a Mega Millions winner took advantage of the state's anonymity laws earlier this year.
Here's what else to know.
Feeling Lucky? Explore the Latest Lottery News & Results
Where Mega Millions winners can remain anonymous
- Arizona: Prize must be over $100,000
- Arkansas: Prize must be over $500,000 and a winner is only anonymous for three years
- Delaware: Any prize
- Georgia: Prize must be over $250,000
- Illinois: Prize must be over $250,000
- Kansas: Any prize
- Maryland: Any prize
- Michigan: Prize must be over $10,000 in state-run games only
- Minnesota: Prize must be over $10,000
- Mississippi: Any prize
- Missouri: Any prize
- Montana: Any prize
- New Jersey: Any prize
- North Dakota: Any prize
- South Carolina: Any prize
- Texas: Prize must be over $1 million
- Virginia: Prize must be greater than $10 million
- West Virginia: Prize must be over $1 million
- Wyoming: Any prize
What is the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever?
The jackpot won Tuesday night was not one of the top five largest prizes of all time. The top five are:
- $1.602 billion from one winning ticket in Florida in August 2023
- $1.537 billion from one winning ticket in October 2018 in South Carolina
- $1.35 billion from one winning ticket in January 2023 in Maine
- $1.34 billion from one winning ticket in July 2022 in Illinois
- $1.12 billion from one winning ticket in March 2024 in New Jersey
What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot?
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are long. Players have a one in 302,575,350 shot at winning the grand prize, a one in 12,607,306 shot at winning the $1 million prize and a one in 24 chance of winning any prize.
How to play Mega Millions
Tickets to Mega Millions cost $2 per play.
There are nine total ways to win a prize, from the jackpot to $2.
To play, pick five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. You can choose Easy Pick or Quick Pick to have the terminal randomly pick numbers for you. You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in the drawing.
What is the Megaplier?
Most states offer the Megaplier feature, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four and five times.
It costs an additional $1 per play. Before each regular Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier is drawn. From a pool of 15 balls, five are marked with "2X," three with "4X" and one with "5X."
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.
veryGood! (652)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Bachelorette's Devin Strader Defends Decision to Dump Jenn Tran After Engagement
- Break in the weather helps contain a wildfire near South Dakota’s second-biggest city
- As Tornado Alley Shifts East, Bracing for Impact in Unexpected Places
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Inmate awaiting execution says South Carolina didn’t share enough about lethal injection drug
- USC surges, Oregon falls out of top five in first US LBM Coaches Poll of regular season
- Researchers shocked after 8-foot shark is eaten by a predator. But who's the culprit?
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- 2 Phoenix officers shot, 1 in critical condition, police say; suspect in custody
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' review: Michael Keaton's moldy ghost lacks the same bite
- Khloe Kardashian Shares Sweet Insight Into Son Tatum’s Bond With Saint West
- Florida doctor found liable for botching baby's circumcision tied to 6 patient deaths
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Former tax assessor and collector in Mississippi is charged with embezzlement
- Chiefs’ Travis Kelce finds sanctuary when he steps on the football field with life busier than ever
- Takeaways from AP’s report on JD Vance and the Catholic postliberals in his circle of influence
Recommendation
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
Another heat wave headed for the west. Here are expert tips to keep cool.
Nevada grandmother faces fines for giving rides to Burning Man attendees
Family of deceased Alabama man claims surgeon removed liver, not spleen, before his death
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
New Titanic expedition images show major decay. But see the team's 'exciting' discovery.
Denise Richards Strips Down to Help a Friend in Sizzling Million Dollar Listing L.A. Preview
'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' review: Michael Keaton's moldy ghost lacks the same bite