Empire State Convenience Store Sells Winning Ticket for $476 Million Mega Millions Jackpot
The Empire State has just crowned its latest millionaire after a lucky ticket holder won the Mega Millions lottery's massive $476 million jackpot on Friday night. The winning numbers, which were 23, 27, 41, 48, and 51, along with the Mega Ball of 22, were sold at the Liberty Beer & Convenience store in Ozone Park, Queens.
This stroke of luck marks the 13th largest prize in the history of the New York Lottery, with the cash option estimated to be a staggering $253.1 million. The convenience store where the ticket was sold will also receive $10,000 for their part in making someone's dream come true.
While the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are a daunting 1-in-302,575,350, it did not deter hopeful millionaires from trying their luck. Two tickets, one in Illinois and one in Massachusetts, matched the five white balls, winning $1 million each. Meanwhile, 17 other tickets, including one from New York, matched four numbers plus the Mega Ball for a prize of $10,000.
This win comes as a much-needed relief to Mega Millions, as the last time they had a jackpot winner was back in January, when a $31 million winning ticket was sold in Massachusetts.