Jackpot-Winning Mega Millions Ticket Sold In Charles County
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- All eyes are on a small Maryland town where someone bought a winning ticket in the third largest Mega Millions jackpot ever.
Christie Ileto reports that person is about to get rich.
A day after the $414 Mega Millions drawing, one of the winners here in Maryland is still a mystery.
"It's neat. It's fun. It's a game now to find out who [the winner] is, hoping you know the person," said Maria Lusby, who plays Mega Millions.
"I played Mega Millions last night and at first I thought it was me. Then I looked at my ticket and I knew it wasn't me," said Katherine Robinson.
A winning ticket sold at Lady's Liquors in La Plata and one other ticket sold at a Florida gas station matched all six numbers from Tuesday's drawing. The jackpot is one of the largest wins in Maryland. The cash option for the Maryland half of the jackpot is $76 million after taxes.
"What we would recommend to the winner of the ticket is that they sign the back of the ticket, that they safeguard it and that they get some advice," said Stephen Martino, Maryland Lottery Director.
The store owner cashes in, too. He gets $100,000.
"I can put a little bit more money in the store," say Jayvir Jhala, store owner.
"This is a good man here. He's always jolly," said Bill Murphy.
People are buzzing about who the winner could be. Maryland is one of six states where the winner can remain anonymous.
While no winner has come forward yet, lottery officials say it can take days, sometimes weeks, for the winner to claim the prize.
"We're glad it's a hometown person," said one resident.
The state of Maryland also gets to cash in, getting more than $10 million in tax revenue.
"It'll be used in the general fund toward things like education, public health, public safety. So even if you don't play the lottery and you live in Maryland, you still win just by being a resident of the state where the winning ticket was sold," said Gail Pelmvitz, Maryland Lottery.
The winner has 182 days to claim their prize.
The winning numbers are 11, 19, 24, 33 and 51 with a Mega Ball of 7.
Mega Millions changed its rules in October to help increase jackpots. The game is played in 43 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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