Wisconsin man claims $120 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot

Nov 19, 2020, 8:46 pm (17 comments)

Mega Millions

The state's first Mega Millions jackpot winner

By Kate Northrop

MOUNT PLEASANT, Wis. — Ten years after selling the first Mega Millions lottery ticket in the state, Wisconsin finally had its first jackpot winner come forward to claim a $120 million Mega Millions prize from the Sept. 15 drawing.

Mega Millions went on sale in the state on Jan. 31, 2010.

The lucky winner turned out to be Adrian Tongson of Racine, a regular Wisconsin Lottery player who claimed the jackpot last Tuesday, Nov. 10. He offered some encouraging words for other hopeful jackpot winners.

"Regardless of how much you spend, it only takes one ticket to win," he said in a press release. "That's what won it for me."

Tongson was the only player to hold a jackpot-winning ticket, but he didn't know right away that he had it in his possession. The big realization that he would be millions richer didn't hit him until he checked his ticket weeks after the drawing.

Having beaten the odds of 1 in 302,575,350, Tongson recently quit his job and is ready to make use of his newfound wealth thanks to the numbers 25, 28, 38, 59, and 62, with Mega Ball number 22.

The lone jackpot winner chose to take the $95.4 million cash option of the jackpot, which meant his winnings after federal and state taxes were withheld totaled an impressive $65.2 million. According to the Lottery, the state collects 7.65% of the prize value from a winning ticket worth $2,000 or more.

"For a big win like this, there is an extra win for Wisconsin taxpayers," Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca remarked. "The state tax collected on the winning Mega Millions ticket totals about $7.3 million, so taxpayers are winning too."

Tongson purchased the winning ticket from Kwik Trip #134 on Spring Street in Mount Pleasant, which will receive a hefty $100,000 commission for selling it. The bonus is well-earned too, since the $120 million Mega Millions jackpot is the first major win for the convenience store.

"We are proud to be a Wisconsin Lottery partner and excited for our customer who purchased this lucky ticket," Kwik Trip Director of Public Relations John McHugh stated. "Kwik Trip will receive $100,000 for selling the ticket, so we are delighted for our coworkers who share in our profits."

Other Kwik Trips across the state have collectively sold nine winning lottery tickets valued at $1 million or more since 2017.

"I'm simply thrilled for Adrian!" Wisconsin Lottery Director Cindy Polzin said. "As a loyal Lottery player, he is certainly a perfect first Mega Millions jackpot winner for our state. Congratulations go to our retail partner Kwik Trip for selling the lucky ticket!"

While this is the first Mega Millions jackpot win in Wisconsin, the state has recorded sales of 64 winning Mega Millions tickets valued at $1 million each.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands for $2 per play. Drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:00 pm CST.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Ranett's avatarRanett

Well done Adrian.Hurray!

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

👽spend & invest wisely, Adrian 

Bleudog101

Congratulations Adrian!

 

That $100K bonus to Kwik Trip is wonderful too.

 

Now for my two questions:   Was it a QP?    How old is he?   I know the average person doesn't care, but I like to be kept abreast.

welington

Great win. Just in time for Thanksgiving and an early Christmas.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by welington on Nov 20, 2020

Great win. Just in time for Thanksgiving and an early Christmas.

I Agree!

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Nov 20, 2020

I Agree!

Life is Good! 

Banana

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

Good for the winner!

Now I'm waiting for jj to post "It's always Wisconsin"

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by Coin Toss on Nov 20, 2020

Good for the winner!

Now I'm waiting for jj to post "It's always Wisconsin"

Ahaha GIF by memecandy

KY Floyd's avatarKY Floyd

I'm confused. How can this be WI's first MM jackpot when it's so easy to win there?

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Nov 21, 2020

Ahaha GIF by memecandy

Great graphic noise-gate  Wink

 

Good follow up KY Floyd

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by Coin Toss on Nov 21, 2020

Great graphic noise-gate  Wink

 

Good follow up KY Floyd

Pity some here do not have a sense of humor... 

 

troll trolling GIF

 

 

Nikkicute's avatarNikkicute

Quote: Originally posted by Coin Toss on Nov 20, 2020

Good for the winner!

Now I'm waiting for jj to post "It's always Wisconsin"

Green laughThat dude!! I remember him lol

Bleudog101

I Agree!   To the grumpy groupers on LP and life in general, hey @ least you're not looking up @ the roots to the daisies.

 

What happened to Wisconsin's 'Miracle Mile' in Fon Du Lac (sp)?

American Indian's avatarAmerican Indian

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Nov 21, 2020

Pity some here do not have a sense of humor... 

 

troll trolling GIF

 

 

NG Left out the next line...

 

Pity some on here just do not have any Sense! ROFL

 

Happy Holidays To All. Stay Safe & Healthy. 

Dance

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