December 16, 2013

Mega Millions® $586 Million Jackpot climbs to record territory

Strong sales have pushed Tuesday's estimated Mega Millions® jackpot to $586 million. If the winner chooses the cash option, he or she would take home $316.5 million before taxes. This is the second-largest Mega Millions® jackpot in history and the fourth-largest jackpot ever experienced in the United States. The current record jackpot is $656 million, shared by Mega Millions® players in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland on March 30, 2012.

There may have been no jackpot winner in Friday's $425 million Mega Millions® drawing, but Rhode Island had a $10,000 Mega Millions® Megaplier® winner.  The ticket matched four numbers plus the Mega Ball for the standard payout of $5,000. However, since the winner purchased the Megaplier® feature for an additional dollar on the wager, the $5,000 prize was multiplied by two, Friday's Megaplier® number, to equal $10,000.  The ticket has yet to be claimed.

Additionally, a $20,000 "$1,000,000 Scratch" winning Instant Ticket has been claimed. Bradley Auger of Coventry is thrilled to now be able to pay off some of his college loans.  He purchased the winning ticket at Cumberland Farms, 5687 Post Rd., East Greenwich.

A $10,000 "Lucky 7's Bingo" Instant Ticket winner also claimed his big prize. The gentleman from Providence plans to use the money towards Christmas gifts, his car and bills.  He purchased the winning ticket at Morin's Liquor Store, 1621 Elmwood Ave., Cranston.

Finally, the winning $10,000 PowerBall® ticket from the December 11 drawing has been claimed by a gentleman from Rumford.  He has been snow-shoeing in New Hampshire and just returned. The winning ticket was purchased at Cumberland Farms, 350 North Broadway, East Providence.  He's putting the money in the bank for now since he's finished all his Christmas shopping.