TN Ticket Takes Mega Millions Jackpot
Someone in Tennessee hit a life-changing $20 million Mega Millions jackpot on Friday ($11.9 million cash), just three days after the top prize was won in Minnesota.
The single winning ticket sold in Tennessee matched all six numbers drawn on April 15, 2022: the five white balls 4, 17, 20, 46 and 64, and the gold Mega Ball, 23.
The ticket was purchased at Citgo Food Mart, located at 560 Hwy. 70, in Pegram, TN. The store's owner, Rajesh Ghadiyali, will receive a $50,000 retailer bonus from the Lottery for selling the lucky ticket.
Friday's win was the first time since July 2016 that the Mega Millions jackpot has been hit in two consecutive draws.
It's also only the second time the game's top prize has been won in The Volunteer State; the first time was on January 3, 2014, when mom and son Bettina “Tina” and Jonathan Still of Nashville took home $61 million.
The jackpot has now been won four times so far this year: $426 million was won in California on January 28, followed by a $128 million win in New York on March 8, then Tuesday's $110 million prize hit in Ramsey, Minnesota, the state's first-ever Mega Millions jackpot.
Prize Claim Options
Lottery winners in Tennessee must claim their prizes within 180 days after the winning draw date.
Winners of the Mega Millions top prize may opt to receive their payout as an annuity of 30 yearly payments, each 5% larger than the previous one, over 29 years, or a one-time cash lump sum.
With the annuity, the money in the jackpot pool is invested so the winner receives more overall, whereas with the cash option the winner receives all the money in the jackpot pool at the time of the win.
Tennesee lottery winners are not permitted to stay anonymous; however, it is possible to use a Trust to claim the winnings for you, thereby keeping your name out of the public eye.
Friday's Other Big Prizes
A player in Iowa scored a $1 million Match 5 second prize prize in Friday's draw after matching the five white balls.
And there were seven winners of the game's Match 4 third-tier prize who matched four white balls and the Mega Ball to win $10,000. In fact, two of the winning tickets had added the Megaplier option for $1 more and so are each worth $40,000, because the 4X Megaplier was drawn on April 15.
In addition to the top prize, 327,524 other tickets hit payouts on Friday night at all prize levels. Check your numbers and find out if you're a lucky winner.
This Week's Jackpots
The next time you could take home the Mega Millions jackpot is on Tuesday, April 19 - there's $20 million up for grabs ($11.9 million cash value).
Your next chance to win the Powerball jackpot is tonight, Monday, April 18, with an estimated $348 million ($209.5 million cash option) top prize to play for.
Tickets for both draws are on sale now.
Published: Monday, April 18, 2022Updated: Thursday, April 21, 2022