Winning Mega Millions lottery tickets sold in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
Final jackpot total of $656 million will be split three ways
How would you react if you won?
By Todd Northrop
The largest lottery jackpot the world has ever seen has been won Friday night by three tickets sold in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland.
Since early Wednesday morning, the Mega Millions lottery jackpot was raised three times in as many days, and by the time all the sales were totalled at draw time, the jackpot stood at a faint-inducing $656 million.
The Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, March 30, 2012, were 2, 4, 23, 38, and 46, with Mega Ball number 23. The Megaplier number was 3.
Friday's Mega Millions jackpot was the accumulation of 18 consecutive drawings without a grand prize winner over a two-month stretch. The final jackpot tally utterly decimated the previous world-record jackpot of $390 million, which has been held by the Mega Millions game since March, 2007.
Three winners probably got very little sleep Friday night, as they try to process winning the world's largest lottery jackpot.
Are the winners running around the house screaming? Are they calling their family? Or maybe calling their boss to quit their job? What are they planning to do with all that loot?
What is the first thing you would do?
The Maryland Lottery reported that the winning ticket sold in that state was purchased at a 7-11 store in Milford, Baltimore County. In Maryland, winners have the option of remaining anonymous.
"This is truly remarkable and historic," said Maryland Lottery Director Stephen Martino. "We can't wait to greet the winner of this world-record setting jackpot."
The person holding the winning Maryland ticket purchased it at 7:15 pm Friday night, buying just one quick pick ticket.
The Illinois winning ticket was sold at the Red Bud Motomart on South Main Street in Red Bud. It was a quick pick.
The location of the store selling the winning ticket in Kansas has not yet been released, but the Kansas Lottery indicated that the winning ticket was sold in the northeast region.
Fortunately, even if you didn't win the jackpot, the Mega Millions game still offers another 8 ways to win lower-tier prizes.
In addition to the jackpot winner, a whopping 161 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers, but not the Mega Ball, for a $250,000 prize: 3 from Arizona, 1 from Arkansas, 29 from California, 2 from Colorado, 1 from Connecticut, 1 from Delaware, 6 from Georgia, 2 from Idaho, 12 from Illinois, 1 from Indiana, 1 from Kansas, 4 from Kentucky, 2 from Louisiana, 4 from Maryland, 5 from Massachusetts, 6 from Michigan, 4 from Minnesota, 1 from Missouri, 5 from New Jersey, 1 from New Mexico, 17 from New York, 4 from North Carolina, 10 from Ohio, 1 from Oklahoma, 5 from Pennsylvania, 1 from Rhode Island, 1 from South Carolina, 1 from South Dakota, 2 from Tennessee, 14 from Texas, 5 from Virginia, 5 from Washington, 1 from West Virginia, and 3 from Wisconsin.
The 29 California winners will each be awarded prizes of $227,955 because California awards all prizes in a pari-mutuel formula, which calculates the prize amount based on the number of tickets sold and the number of winners in each prize category.
Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time
After all the proceeds were counted, Friday's $656 million Mega Millions jackpot stood as the largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States — by far.
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Mega Millions: $390 million, Mar. 6, 2007 - Georgia, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $380 million, Jan. 4, 2011 - Idaho, Washington
- Powerball: $365 million, Feb. 18, 2006 - Nebraska
- The Big Game: $363 million, May 9, 2000 - Illinois, Michigan
- Powerball: $340 million, Oct. 19, 2005 - Oregon
- Powerball: $336.4 million, Feb. 11, 2012 - Rhode Island
- Mega Millions: $336 million, Aug. 28, 2009 - California, New York
- The Big Game: $331 million, Apr. 16, 2002 - Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $330 million, Aug. 31, 2007 - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
- Mega Millions: $319 million, Mar. 25, 2011 - New York
- Mega Millions: $315 million, Nov. 15, 2005 - California
- Powerball: $314.9 million, Dec. 26, 2002 - West Virgina
- Powerball: $314.3 million, Aug. 25, 2007 - Indiana
- Powerball: $295.7 million, Jul. 29, 1998 - Indiana
- Powerball: $295 million, Aug. 25, 2001 - Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $294 million, Jul. 2, 2004 - Massachusetts
- Powerball: $276.3 million, Mar. 15, 2008 - West Virgina
- Mega Millions: $275 million, Feb. 22, 2008 - Georgia
- Mega Millions: $270 million, Feb. 28, 2006 - Ohio
- Mega Millions: $266 million, May 4, 2010 - California
- Mega Millions: $265 million, Apr. 18, 2006 - Ohio
- Powerball: $261.6 million, Jun. 2, 2010 - Ohio
- Powerball: $261.3 million, Jul. 9, 2003 - Missouri, Pennsylvania
- Powerball: $259.9 million, Aug. 19, 2009 - South Carolina
Story Updated, 1:45 pm: The jackpot has been updated in the story to reflect the final tally of $656 million, which was not available until the proceeds from each state were calculated.
Guess there's no $1 Billion+ Draw this Tuesday
time to take a rest & get ready for the next Lotto Frenzy
What a ride!
Lots of fun. Now we can get back to normal obsessing over the lottery...
I'm surprised that only 3 won, but it's better than just 1. I thought it would be 5 winners.
Congrats to those people and may they have sound mind moving forward!
Well folks that's it,wonder how long it will be before it reaches that amount or more again. I'm glad it was split. Just wish I would have had some numbers to match,did'nt have nothing. Congrats to the winners,hope they play it safe.
I have a friend who got 4 out of 5 numbers plus the megaball. He picked 01 instead of 02. Off by one number!!!!!!
Originally, he thought he won $150, but his wife told him they won $10,000!! He's pretty excited but can't believe he lost half a billion by one digit!!
Wonder if that Illinoois winner played ONLINE?
I am going to sound like a schmuck but I am glad it was won by at least 3 different tickets and one from Illinois. Now I just hope they were all quick picks and all lottery pools because that will just stoke the lotto fever even more next go around and it will make me feel better that someone other than me or my family is super rich. I only had 3 of the larger numbers and missed the lower numbers by one on each side on my own pick. That sucks!
FTS
was kinda hoping it roll @ least once more for the pure chits N giggles
but que sera sera & to the 3 or more lucky stiffs
no ticket was a quick pick bought in a convenience store 926519 RED BUD MOTOMART #3121
I wish that it had been 1 ticket.
That would have driven the childish people crazy.
Congrats to the winners!
Congratulations to the lucky winners!!!
I broke even. Had the bonus ball on one ticket and the bonus ball plus one # on another with the megaplier for $15.
well maybe next time lol
Thanks for the update!
What a run indeedy
Dang it I was in the right state this time...... But wrong city
This was fun! Historic! I am not sure if all state lotteries were doing this but DC was printing these large commemorative type tickets as of yesterday (but did not have the 640 mil number, only the 540). So I have a souvenir to say I played this lottery.
I agree... i had lots of fun w the rambling!!! lol.. learned quite a bit too!!! can't wait for the next big thing!! ~til then.. i got powerball tonight!!!! haha
Congrats to ALL the Winners!!!!!!!
Yep .......
No, they bought the ticket at a store just like four4me posted.
Here's the Illinois 5 +1 and 5 + 0 winners (also says something aboput QPs):
MEGA MILLIONS PRIZE PAYOUTS FOR FRIDAY MARCH 30, 2012
ESTIMATED GRAND PRIZE: $640,000,000.00
WINNING NUMBERS: 02 - 04 - 23 - 38 - 46 AND THE MEGA BALL NUMBER IS 23
THE MEGAPLIER NUMBER IS 03
PLAYERS MATCHING 5 OF 5 NUMBERS
AND THE MEGABALL
INCLUDING SUBSCRIPTION WINNERS 3
EACH PLAYER WILL RECEIVE $213,333,333.00
WINNING TICKETS WERE SOLD AT
926519 RED BUD MOTOMART #3121 (QP)
900 S MAIN ST
RED BUD/62278
WINNING TICKET SOLD IN: ILLINOIS, KANSAS, & MARYLAND
MEGAPLIER PLAYERS MATCHING 5 OF 5 NUMBERS
INCLUDING SUBSCRIPTION WINNERS 1
EACH PLAYER WILL RECEIVE $1,000,000.00
WINNING TICKETS WERE SOLD AT
182311 7-ELEVEN #22365 (QP)
1750 W FOSTER AVE
CHICAGO/60640
PLAYERS MATCHING 5 OF 5 NUMBERS
INCLUDING SUBSCRIPTION WINNERS 11
EACH PLAYER WILL RECEIVE $250,000.00
WINNING TICKETS WERE SOLD AT
105726 D M STORES INC (QP)
222 N LA SALLE ST
CHICAGO/60601
110215 AG 26TH INC (QP)
3201 W 26TH ST
CHICAGO/60623
500296 J & L 66 (QP)
3701 E WASHINGTON RD
EAST PEORIA/61611
800529 SUPER ONE STOP (QP)
3301 W CHAIN OF ROCKS RD
GRANITE CITY/62040
600785 MINOOKA BP FAST N FRESH (QP)
103 N RIDGE RD
MINOOKA/60447
414235 ROCHELLE SHELL
505 W HIGHWAY #38
ROCHELLE/61068
400495 ROAD RANGER #228 (QP)
125 N ANNIE GLIDDEN RD
DEKALB/60115
400657 LYFORD RD MOBIL (QP)
8061 E STATE ST
ROCKFORD/61108
400073 JEWEL FOOD STORE 3240 (QP)
1157 N EOLA RD
AURORA/60502
210132 MONEE BP FAST N FRESH#18 (QP)
6001 W MONEE RD
MONEE/60449
201736 7-ELEVEN #29723 (QP)
305 N BARRINGTON RD
STREAMWOOD/60107
Story updated with number of 5+0 winners: 161
lol I know right? I wouldn't care if only one person won, I'd still be happy for them!!
Congrats to the three, it was meant to be!! It was their time to win!!
Thanks Todd.....
"In addition to the jackpot winner, a whopping 158 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers"......WOW congrats to the 158 winners....
This is what the 3 winners get before taxes right? ($213,333,333)
Yes.....
Thanks for the info CT.....
I know the people in Michigan wish they knew the take away average , since it was the 3-digit last nite 213 Congrat! to me on another win in the daily 3. I recup my money loss nothing.
I live in Illinois, I always buy my tickets at the Local Moto Mart. Illinois winning ticket was purchased at a Moto Mart in Red Bud Illinois, (south east of St Louis) thats about 120 miles south of me. Congrats to the lucky winner.
Congrats to the winners!!
I noticed several new members posting, welcome to Lottery Post!! Todd, how many new members in the last coupla weeks?
I had two numbers on a coupla lines and was glad to add $9 to the jackpot frenzy this last draw. I could barely keep up reading the jackpot threads!
Thanks dallas :)
wizeguy,
Same here, two numbers on different lines!
I had the jackpot threads all mixed up! lol All the incoming e-mail and new comment alerts
I was all over the place! But it was fun though! Fun to dream about what might have been!
Congrats to the winners! I know their world is going to change. I got one number out of it the mega number! NC luck has to change! I wish something would get rid of this black cloud over NC , so someone in my state me included , can win the next big jackbot soon. NC sucks!!!
CONGRATS TO ALL THE WINNERS!!!!!! ENJOY!!!!!
I might've didn't win the jackpot but guess whose got two thumbs from Baton Rouge La and come Monday gonna be 250k richer AAAAA THIS GUY!!!!!!!!!!! I'm never gonna stop playing now and I knew it was possible just had to share that with my LP fam!!
Its offical Oregon is the worst state for Mega - millions lool Congrats to all the winner's and all the second place winner's. My only question is with the increase in sale's should the starting jackpot be atleast higher? shouldn't it roll over into the new jackpot i always wonder why it doesn't
Congrats Young and Rich
"I could barely keep up reading the jackpot threads!"
In a brief summary, the thousands of post said they will buy cars, boats, planes, mansions, small countries, remain anonymous, have their picture taken holding the huge check giving out their address and phone number with the best time to call, take the cash, take the annuity, 200 players will win, the jackpot will roll, donate to charities, and/or buy a Snickers bar; all the usual stuff.
Today we'll read the obligatory "congrats to the winners", jackpot envy, sour grapes, missed by 6 numbers, I won $4, and forgot to play "my numbers" posts. On Monday we'll read criticism if one or more of the winners claim their prize in person, investment schemes, will one or more of the winners be on a future "Lottery Loser" show, and next week we'll wonder why one or more of the prizes hasn't been claimed.
Before anyone thinks I'm being cynical, it's a parody and it would be nice if some of our new members will stick around, hopefully adding some useful information that might help others win a (though probably much smaller) jackpot.
I took my two losing sets of MM numbers (picked by me) and used the same ones in PB.
Congrats YoungNRich !!
Congrats YoungNRich.......
LOL...Nope, the worse state for Mega is Oklahoma, still hasn't had a Mega jackpot Winner!!!!!
My Cadillac dreams have been crushed! Onto Powerball!
I guess we know now that there willl most likely never be a billion dollar jackpot or one sole winner if it does get that high. They would need to add more numbers to the game. But at least now I can play and win next week's $12 million in peace, and no one will know or care as they will still all be searching out the winners of this one. It is not as impressive since 3 winners won it, just like 3 people winning about $200 million. I am kinda glad one person did not win it all. Looks like Singleton wasted his $10,000. His "slamdunk" got rejected.
....wonder how many "cheerleaders" God lost over this ....? at least it wasn't NEW YORK winners !!!!
Congratulations YoungnRich!! That's truly a Blessing.
http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=downer
Congrats to you YoungNRich! Way to go! Your Monday should definitely be a day for celebration!
And congrats to all the winners! We were all part of history (as has previously been stated) and it sure was fun!
Congrats YNR......spend wisely and enjoy....
Mega ripoff strikes again! I stopped being disappointed many years ago as it got too predictable. Looks like one will stay anonymous and the other two are probably already rich and will appear 3 months from now once they remembered they bought a ticket. Always lame and predictable. I am betting no one from LP won as usual. I have yet to see anyone jackpot winner from LP. I hope to be the first.
Oh my gosh, that would piss me off!! ONE number away from winning the jackpot. How frustrating!! LOL
According to the article, it said 3 people from WI won the $250,000 prize, but according to the WI lottery website, no one won that prize.
http://www.wilottery.com/lottogames/megamillionswinners.aspx
Coin Toss, where did you get the info on where the tickets were sold? was it on the states website or somewhere on this forum.
I would like to find out the winners in Maryland.
Congratulations to YoungnRich! That is awesome news!!!
Regarding jackpot size, I don't know what it matters, since a bigger jackpot often means multiple winners, therefore a reduced amount for each winner.
That said, it was fun to play on a historic day for the lottery. I imagine some of that excitement is going to roll over into the Powerball jackpot tonight. Good luck to all of you playing the PB!
Gee I've never heard that before here. Wake up! You are still in MM dreamland Let's see the ticket.
Winners as in? Names? breakdown of how many won in each tier?
I personally find that going to that "states" Website is very informative. Lottory post has a Lottery results page by state that also carries a breakdown of winners/results/payout. Check the Quick links sidebar.
Then stop playing if it makes you so miserable. Everyone else who lost said they had fun playing.
Looks like powerball just got popular again.