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The winner, nicknamed “Blessed” as part of their wish to remain anonymous, won the jackpot during the March 25 drawing.
CORTLAND, Ill. — After a month of anticipation, an Illinois resident claimed their $349 million Mega Millions jackpot Wednesday.
The winner, who chose to remain anonymous but has been nicknamed “Blessed,” won the jackpot during the March 25 drawing.
“We took a chance and bought a single Quick Pick ticket,” the winner told Mega Millions. “We’re absolutely ecstatic and feel incredibly blessed. We plan to use this money to do good — this unbelievable prize will truly be the gift that keeps on giving.”
The winning ticket was sold at Casey’s General Story in Courtland, Illinois, which was given a $500,000 bonus for the sale.
The jackpot is Illinois’ fourth win in the last four years, with the largest winnings being $1.34 billion from July 2022. Funds from every Mega Millions ticket sold in Illinois goes to supporting K-12 schools in the state.
Earlier this month, Mega Millions had its third jackpot win of the year and first under the new $5 game format. Along with slightly increased chances of winning, changes include: larger starting jackpots, increased minimum winnings, faster building jackpots, increased winnings all around and a more expensive ticket. Tickets now cost $5 each, instead of their old $2.
The Mega Millions Consortium estimates the average jackpot win will be more than $800 million under the new rules compared to the current approximately $450 million. They say the increased ticket cost will build the jackpot quicker. Jackpots now reset at $50 million instead of the usual $20 million.
What are the new Mega Millions odds?
The odds of winning the top prize are technically better in this new era as well, but still remain astronomical. The chance of becoming a jackpot winner under the new rules is one in 290,472,336. That’s improved from every one in 302,575,350. This is because one gold Mega Ball was removed from the game, bringing the total from 25 to 24.
“Beyond big jackpots, players told us they want bigger non-jackpot prizes and that’s exactly what this new game delivers,” said Joshua Johnston, Lead Director of the Mega Millions Consortium, in a statement.
Players who used to win $2 by matching one or more numbers will now win between $10 and $50. Those who would’ve won $500 under the old rules will now take home at least double and up to ten times more than previous winnings.
“That’s the kind of value the new Mega Millions will deliver to our players at every single drawing,” said Johnston.
Mega Millions and its lottery compatriot Powerball are sold in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is sold in Puerto Rico.
The price increase is the second in 20 years, the last hitting in 2017.
When are Mega Millions drawings?
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Eastern.
