Florida player wins $800 million Mega Millions jackpot in Bradenton

Florida player wins $800 million Mega Millions jackpot in Bradenton

A single Mega Millions ticket sold in unincorporated Manatee County near Bradenton has won an $800 million jackpot. Lottery officials announced Wednesday, July 29, that the winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased at a Wawa located at 14510 State Road 70 E.

The ticket matched all six numbers drawn Tuesday, July 28: 34, 48, 49, 59, and 70, with a Mega Ball of 12. This win ends a rollover streak that lasted 37 consecutive drawings, the last jackpot having been won in Ohio on March 17.

At the Wawa where the ticket was sold, employees are remaining silent. The store manager, when contacted by the Herald-Tribune, declined to discuss the win, stating We've been told that we are not allowed to talk about that.

The prize is the largest lottery win in Florida since August 2023, when a record-setting $1.602 billion Mega Millions jackpot was won. The current winner faces a choice between an advertised $800 million annuity or a cash option estimated at $344.2 million before taxes.

Florida Lottery Secretary Reginald Dixon praised the win as an incredible, life-changing moment in a statement. Dixon noted that support from players helps generate funding for education and contributes to creating brighter futures for students across the state.

While the winnings remain unclaimed, the winner has 180 days from the drawing date to claim the prize. Those opting for the single-payment cash option must do so within the first 60 days. To collect the jackpot, the winner is required to visit the Florida Lottery Headquarters at 50 Marriott Dr. In Tallahassee.

Florida law generally prevents winners from remaining anonymous. The Florida Lottery website states that the agency must provide records including the winner's name, city of residence, game won, date won, and amount won to any third party who requests it. However, winners of prizes $250,000 or greater can be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed, unless they waive that exemption.

Other players across the U.S. Also saw significant wins on Tuesday. A ticket in New York won $3 million by matching five numbers with a 3X multiplier, and a ticket in Illinois won $5 million by matching five numbers with a 5X multiplier.

The odds of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336, according to the Mega Millions site.

With the jackpot won, the game resets for the next drawing on Friday, July 31, which starts at $50 million. Meanwhile, the Florida Powerball remains unclaimed with a current prize of $663 million, with the next drawing scheduled for tonight.