$800 Million Mega Millions Jackpot is Claimed
A monumental moment in Texas Lottery history unfolded yesterday as The Sol Living Trust, of Sugar Land, Texas, claimed the massive $800 million Mega Millions jackpot from the September 10 drawing. This jackpot win marks the largest prize ever awarded to a single Texas Lottery player and the seventh largest prize in Mega Millions history. The trust opted for the cash value option, receiving $409,297,624 before taxes.
A Winning Ticket and a Record-Breaking Bonus
The winning Quick Pick ticket, which matched all the drawn numbers (1-2-16-24-66, Mega Ball 6), was purchased at Murphy USA 8848 on Highway 90A in Sugar Land. As an added bonus, the retailer who sold the winning ticket received a $1 million reward for their part in the jackpot.
The Mega Millions jackpot began at $20 million on June 7 and rolled over 27 times before being hit, accumulating into the enormous $800 million prize. The victory adds to Texas’s history of Mega Millions wins, becoming the 15th jackpot claimed in the state since Texas joined the multijurisdictional game in 2003.
A History of Texas Winners
Texas has had a streak of major wins in Mega Millions. This is the fifteenth Mega Millions jackpot won in the Lone Star state. The last big win occurred on October 6, 2023, when The Blue Yucca Trust claimed a $360 million jackpot in San Angelo. The state’s first jackpot winner dates back to October 1, 2004, when Ut Van Nguyen from Carrollton claimed a $101 million prize. This latest win from The Sol Living Trust only solidifies Texas as a powerhouse in the lottery world.
It wasn’t just the jackpot winners who cashed. The September 10 draw alone awarded 175,127 Mega Millions tickets to Texas winning lower-tier prizes ranging from $2 to $40,000.
How to Play Mega Millions
Mega Millions is played by selecting five numbers from a pool of 70 and one Mega Ball number from a pool of 25. To win the jackpot, players must match all six numbers, including the Mega Ball. Players who don’t match all six numbers can still walk away with prizes. Drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday and the game starts with a $20 million jackpot. The second-tier prize offers $1 million to players who match five numbers.
Can Mega Millions Winners Stay Anonymous?
In Texas, lottery winners claiming prizes over $1 million can choose to remain anonymous, a right not available in most states. Only 11 states, including Texas, allow winners to keep their identities private. Supporters of public winner announcements argue that revealing identities promotes transparency and trust in lottery games, but many winners opt for anonymity to maintain privacy and avoid unwanted attention.
How Does This Jackpot Compare to the Biggest U.S. Lottery Wins?
While $800 million is an extraordinary sum, it ranks as the seventh-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history. The largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever won was a staggering $2.04 billion Powerball prize claimed on November 7, 2022. Other colossal winnings include the $1.76 billion Powerball from October 2023 and the $1.58 billion Mega Millions jackpot hit in August 2023.
Who knows when the next life-changing drawing will take place? One thing is certain—every ticket holds the potential for an unforgettable win.
The Sol Living Trust’s remarkable Mega Millions win is not only a moment of celebration for Texas lottery players but also a reminder that any ticket could lead to a fortune. Whether you’re chasing the jackpot or landing one of the smaller prizes, the next big win might just be yours. Keep playing responsibly, and remember—lottery dreams really can come true.
