By A single ticket holder in Texas has won the staggering $800 million Mega Millions jackpot, lottery officials confirmed Wednesday. The life-changing ticket was purchased at a Murphy USA gas station in Sugar Land, a suburb southwest of Houston.
The Texas Lottery announced that the winning numbers drawn on Tuesday, September 10, were 1, 2, 16, 24, 66, with the gold Mega Ball 6. This jackpot marks the largest Mega Millions prize since the March 26 drawing, when an out-of-state player claimed $1.13 billion, the game’s fifth-largest jackpot ever.
According to the Texas Lottery’s press release, the $800 million prize has an estimated cash value of $401.8 million if the winner chooses the lump-sum option. This jackpot ranks as the seventh-biggest in Mega Millions history.
Gary Grief, executive director of the Texas Lottery, expressed excitement about the win. “We’re thrilled that a Texas player has won this incredible prize,” Grief said. “This jackpot will not only change the winner’s life but will also generate significant revenue for Texas education and veterans’ services.”
Lottery officials noted that September has been a fortunate month for Mega Millions players over the game’s 22-year history. Including this latest win, there have been 22 jackpot winners in September, with the most recent prior victory occurring on September 21, 2021, when a $431 million prize was claimed by an out-of-state player.
The identity of the winner remains unknown, as Texas law allows lottery winners to remain anonymous. The lucky ticket holder has 180 days from the draw date to claim their prize at Texas Lottery headquarters in Austin.
Murphy USA, the gas station chain where the winning ticket was sold, will receive a retailer bonus of $1 million for selling the jackpot-winning ticket, as per Texas Lottery regulations.
Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 302.6 million.
With this massive prize claimed, the next Mega Millions drawing is set for Friday, September 13, with a reset jackpot of $20 million. While significantly smaller than the recent $800 million prize, lottery officials remind players that any jackpot win is life-changing.
The substantial jackpot win in Texas is expected to generate renewed interest in the Mega Millions game nationwide, potentially leading to increased ticket sales for future drawings. Lottery officials continue to emphasize responsible gaming practices and encourage winners to seek financial advice before claiming large prizes.
