After a nationwide frenzy for a life-changing chance to win a $380 million Mega Millions jackpot. That amount will be split between the holders of two winning tickets, one sold in Washington and the other in Idaho. Today Safeway confirmed its store in Ephrata, Wash., sold one of the winning tickets, and can claim $50,000 for itself for selling one of the winning tickets.
The Washington winner of the Mega Millions lottery jackpot planned to discuss his windfall today, while officials in Idaho waited for another lucky ticket-holder to come forward and claim half of the $380 million prize. The prospect of winning the second biggest jackpot in history drew huge interest across the country as thousands of people lined up to buy tickets in the 41 states and Washington, D.C., where the lottery is held.
The winners had to match five regular numbers plus the Mega ball. The winning numbers were 4, 8, 15, 25 and 47, with the Mega ball number of 42. Four of the six winning numbers matched numbers that were prominently featured throughout the popular television show Lost, 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42. Mega Millions said 25,587 tickets matched three of the winning numbers, plus the bonus number, so anyone who played the Lost numbers won $150 per ticket.
It’s the second largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. Two winners, in Georgia and New Jersey, shared a $390 million Mega Millions jackpot in March 2007 that remains the nation’s richest on record. Tuesday’s winning tickets are each worth $190 million paid in 26 annual installments. Each lucky winner also has the option of taking an $81 million lump sum payment, Idaho Lottery spokesman David Workman said. Other smaller monetary prizes can range from $2 to $250,000, depending on how many numbers are matched.
