Illinois Resident Strikes Gold: $533 Million Mega Millions Jackpot Won!
Dreams came true for one incredibly fortunate individual in Illinois! A winning Mega Millions ticket sold in the state snagged the colossal $533 million jackpot in the drawing held on Tuesday, March 10th. This marks the first Mega Millions jackpot win of 2026, ending a 28-drawing drought since the last jackpot was claimed on December 2nd in New Jersey.
Prize Options: Lump Sum or Annual Payments?
The lucky winner now faces a delightful decision: how to receive their winnings. They have two options. They can opt for a one-time, lump-sum cash payment of $244.2 million, or choose to receive an immediate payment followed by annual installments, each 5% larger than the previous year. This flexibility allows the winner to choose the option that best suits their financial planning.
Winning Numbers and Other Big Winners
The winning numbers for Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing were 16, 21, 30, 35, 65, and the Mega Ball was 7. But the good fortune didn’t stop there! Another Illinois player matched five numbers, winning a $5 million prize. Additionally, a Maryland resident also secured a substantial $4 million prize for matching five numbers.
Jackpot Reset and Next Drawing
With a jackpot winner declared, the Mega Millions jackpot has been reset to a tempting $50 million for the next drawing, with a cash value of $22.9 million. Mark your calendars! The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Friday, March 13th, at 11 p.m. ET. Could you be the next big winner?
How to Play Mega Millions
Mega Millions is available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each ticket costs $5. Players select six numbers: five white balls (ranging from 1 to 70) and one gold Mega Ball (ranging from 1 to 24). Alternatively, you can choose the Easy Pick/Quick Pick option, letting the computer randomly generate your numbers.
Winning the jackpot requires matching all six numbers. If multiple winners share the jackpot, the prize will be divided accordingly.
Where to Buy Tickets
You can purchase Mega Millions tickets at various locations, including convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, online ticket purchases are also available.
The Megaplier: Boosting Non-Jackpot Prizes
Mega Millions tickets now include a built-in multiplier, which can increase non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or even 10x! This feature adds an extra layer of excitement to the game.
Ready to try your luck? Visit the official Mega Millions website for more information and to check winning numbers.
This article contains information originally reported by Julia Gomez and Fernando Cervantes Jr. of USA TODAY.
