A single ticket has scooped a massive US$1.34 billion jackpot after winning the third largest lottery prize in US history.
The enormous Mega Millions draw on Friday was the result of 29 consecutive draws without anyone winning the top prize and fell just shy of the record US$1.6 billion Powerball draw of 2016.
The winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased at a Speedway gas station in Chicago, Illinois, although the winner has yet to come forward according to US media reports. Local laws also allow winner of any prize over US$250,000 to keep their identity secret.
The Mega Millions winner will have the option of accepting the full US$1.34 billion prize paid in annual instalments over the next 29 years, or to accept a single US$780.5 million payout. The gas station will also receive a US$500,000 prize for selling the winning ticket.
Lead Director for the Mega Millions Consortium, Pat McDonald, said, “We are thrilled to have witnessed one of the biggest jackpot wins in Mega Millions history. We’re eager to find out who won and look forward to congratulating the winner soon!”
