3 Winning Tickets Split Record Mega Millions Jackpot
- Posted on March 31, 2012 at 7:14am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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AP
CHICAGO (AP) — Lottery ticket-holders in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland each selected the winning numbers for the world record-breaking $640 million Mega Millions jackpot, lottery officials said early Saturday.
Illinois’ winning ticket was sold in the small town of Red Bud, near St. Louis, and the winner used a quick pick to select the numbers, Illinois Lottery spokesman Mike Lang said. The Maryland Lottery said it sold a winning ticket at a retail store in Baltimore County.
A winning ticket also was purchased in northeast Kansas, according to the Kansas Lottery website. A spokeswoman didn’t immediately return a message Saturday morning.
Each winning ticket was expected to be worth more than $213 million before taxes, Lang said. The winning numbers in Friday night’s drawing were 02-04-23-38-46, and the Mega Ball 23.
Maryland Lottery spokeswoman Carole Everett said the last time a ticket from the state won a major national jackpot was in 2008, when a ticket sold for $24 million.
“We’re thrilled,” she said. “We’re due and excited.”
The estimated jackpot dwarfs the previous $390 million record, which was split in 2007 by two winners who bought tickets in Georgia and New Jersey.
Americans spent nearly $1.5 billion for a chance to hit the jackpot, which amounts to a $462 million lump sum and around $347 million after federal tax withholding. With the jackpot odds at 1 in 176 million, it would cost $176 million to buy up every combination. Under that scenario, the strategy would win $171 million less if your state also withholds taxes.
From coast to coast, people stood in line at retail stores Friday for one last chance at striking it rich.
Maribeth Ptak, 31, of Milwaukee, said she only buys Mega Millions tickets when the jackpot is really big and she bought one Friday at a Milwaukee grocery store. She said she’d use the money to pay off bills, including school loans, and then she’d donate a good portion to charity.
“I know the odds are really not in my favor, but why not,” she said.
Sawnya Castro, 31, of Dallas, bought $50 worth of tickets at a 7-Eleven. She figured she’d use the money to create a rescue society for Great Danes, fix up her grandmother’s house, and perhaps even buy a bigger one for herself.
“Not too big – I don’t want that. Too much house to keep with,” she said.
Willie Richards, who works for the U.S. Marshals Service at a federal courthouse in Atlanta, figured if there ever was a time to confront astronomical odds, it was when $640 million was at stake. He bought five tickets.
“When it gets as big as it is now, you’d be nuts not to play,” he said. “You have to take a chance on Lady Luck.”
This post has been updated since it was first published.
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Comments (61)
inferno
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 3:34pmClose does not count. In 1985, I purchased a ticket. I matched all numbers, except the last, which I missed by one digit, missed the 3 million dollar prize. Won 85.00 dollars. Such is life. Probably have spent less than 50.00 over 30 years on tickets.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 6:28pm59 Years ago… I won a Turkey at BINGO. That’s it!
Report Post »sweetgold
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 6:33pmMe too. In the old,easier to win 5 number Calif lottery I had 4 out of 5. History said I should win 25 to 35 K. Nope, over 2,000 people had that same number combination. But I did win over $1200 so it was worth it.
Report Post »OklahomaBound
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 6:46pmWhat made me most upset about losing was that I wasted so much time practicing my victory dance before the drawing.
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on April 1, 2012 at 9:45amFunny thing they always forget to mention the states cut you don‘t think it’s free do you ?
Report Post »saskquatch
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 2:40pmWell the big winners of last night’s Mega Million Jackpot were state and federal governments. All tolled would be approximately $800 million. Aren’t you glad you bought tickets?
Report Post »youdidthis
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 2:00pmALIENS UFO : IRREFUTABLE EVIDENCE FOUND & PRESENTED BY SCIENTISTS…NO MORE BS ! 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRyZyvcyeGI&context=C4d84855ADvjVQa1PpcFNMRzNgHU7ndew-KP11SK96OqGYtj2-Nm0=
Bizarre “Sun Signs” Phenomenon (2012) The End is Near?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1D3OLdTgEs
i think most people better wake the fluke up…you have been lied 2…
Report Post »I Aint PC
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 1:38pmI almost won the lottery. All I had to was buy a ticket and choose the correct numbers. I was so close.
Report Post »I Aint PC
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 1:44pmWith the $5 I did not spend on the lottery, I could buy some Arizona Tea and Skittles.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 2:14pmMe too.
Report Post »AllAmericanGirl22
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 12:42pmWhat really makes me mad is how much the government takes from you. This is exactly why we fought the British for our Independence. The government should not be allowed to tax lottery winnings.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 2:18pmAt least not at 40%. I mean you get a bonus for doing a great job at work and the government takes 40% in taxes. Why, what the hell did you do to earn that? I did all the work and you take 40%. I would give you 5% and that is it. Frankly, if the bonus is under $5000, you should not get anything.
TIME TO OVERHAUL THE TAX CODES. I’d rightly give up filing itemized deductions if I got to keep at least 90% of my earnings.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 12:40pmAt least I have a little fun ‘playing’ the lottery, & my wife likes the what if…..
Report Post »much more fun than filing my Ohio taxes…… and writing the check electronically.
disgustedAmerican
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 12:37pmAll this ends up being, was a highly orchestrated media social experiment. The Democrats (commies) are going to use this data to see how rapidly they can “organize” the people in an event. Obviously it worked.
Report Post »lylejk
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 11:25amI would have played if I could, so, I guess it is a good thing that our state doesn’t allow participation (and I’m way too far away to drive to the nearest state that does) since I saved a buck or more. lol
You have a better chance to get hit by lightening 3 times in the same day and still survive then win the lottery yet 3 folk picked the exact same numbers. What’s the odds of that? :)
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 12:20pmone in one hundred and seventy six million
(tongue in cheek)
Report Post »THXll38
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 11:13amThese people need to invest in marijuana — the new gold!
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 11:09amWell, at least I am $1.00 richer then all the losers as I did not buy a ticket. I understand why people want something for nothing as it seems to be human nature but as you can see if we do buy into it most of end up being losers.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 11:16amcorr — most end up being losers
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 10:56amThe funny deal with the Lottery’s …They started with the tired old Commie chant ..The money is for the public schools and the children ..But all we ever hear is about how the schools are crumbling to the ground and how the school systems are broke…and they need more money ..And they don’t have enough money to make all the kids rocket scientists or as Obama always likes to say the engineers..Well with Obama you never know if he means train engineer or bridge engineer ..But really doesn’t matter anymore . With all the years of state lotteries now and the continued problems..Something or someone is winning besides a ticket holder or two….
Report Post »TelepromoterNChief
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 11:15amThat’s not true.
Report Post »If you look at one school, they bought them some computers from Radio Shack, pencils and even a few pads of paper.
Extremely generous.
13th Imam
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 1:15pmThe DEMOCRATS in Konnecticut Steal the lottery money from the Education Dept and our children. When the lottery first came out, ALL the cash went to the Dept of Ed, then the DEMOCRAT THIEVES , voted to put it into the GENERAL FUND, and now dole the cash out to the State of CT unions. There are Few Republicans here , so NO DEMOCRAT can ever blame “The Republicans.”
Report Post »PASSIONFORCHRIST
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 2:06pmThevoice,
Report Post »You are absolutely correct!
Conservativeman
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 10:52amIf the “99%“ is fed up with the evil ”1%“ for being greedy and rich why is it that so many of the ”99%“ were attempting to break into the ”1%” with a win in the lottery? Wouldn’t playing the lottery for millions be limited to only the rich “1%” and isn’t it hypocritical?
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 10:59amIn the mind of a “new age progressive commie” 99% er…They justify the lottery purchase as paying their fair share…lol
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 11:06amAnd the best part for the 99%er they can make that lottery purchase usually were they get their malt liquor and skittles ..So its also a environmental issue with them as it’s considered one stop shopping.
Report Post »circleDwagons
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 9:21pmif they win in a year or two they are broke again
Report Post »R.A. Bullseye
Posted on April 1, 2012 at 12:50amI agree. Now the 99% want what the people who won the give them the money.
Report Post »hi
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 10:21amThey should do this with taxes. They randomly select a tax payer, not a tax sucker upper, and give them a few million. Then I would cheerfully pay my taxes because I have a chance at a big win.
Report Post »TerryDo
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 10:17amCongratulations to all the winners!
Report Post »Have a healthy long life.
And don’t forget to buy some gold.
EP46
Posted on April 1, 2012 at 6:41amIf the winners have a little extra…could they hire some crop duster planes to spray the “occupy areas” as a way to support ‘save the earth’ ??
Report Post »TWO BITS
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 9:45amGee, people are never satisfied. Who needs more money when the country gambled on the historic Mr. Hope and Change in 2008?
Report Post »chips1
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 10:08amWith the taxes it will bring in, I vision another Obama vacation coming up.
Report Post »mwhaley
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 10:18amYep, All bags are packed and Air Force One is firing up!
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 9:10amGripes the sates must have made a pille! I wonder where all those people found all those extra dollars.
Report Post »AB5r
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 9:05amFunny how money and greed work, imagine matching these numbers, and then realizing that you have to share it with two other winners! Even though you are still getting a huge prize, it would be only natural to feel some sense of disappointment that you weren’t the only one to match all the numbers. Then you have the aggravation of realizing how much you are going to give to the crazy liberals in government to waste.
Report Post »LongRange
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 11:16amThe truly frighting thing is how many winners have destroyed their lives. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil!
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 9:02am.
Report Post »Think of it as a voluntary tax.
progressiveslayer
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 9:19amThat‘s exactly what is and Barry and other moronic politicians tell us the lottery is exploiting ’poor’ people,while all lotteries are run by state government.They could end all state lotteries today,something they‘ll never do it’s too much of a money maker,and people will gamble,it doesn’t matter how many laws they make.
Report Post »mils
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 9:55amthe only person that can exploit you, rich or poor, when buying a $1 lottery ticket is yourself and your greed…
Report Post »the lottery is a “fun” thing…not a “bet the rent money” thing… perhaps he needs to talk to “his people” about the tickets they buy…
progressiveslayer
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 10:32amThat‘s the way I see it it’s fun and I don’t spend myself into oblivion like what our government is doing to us.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 9:00am.
Report Post »My advice to winners?
Before telling anyone, build a fence around your house,
and disconnect your phone.
clingingtogodandguns
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 8:48amAnd the winning number is???? NOT YOURS.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 9:56amAAAAAAH!! A good Hannity Radio Show listener.
Report Post »Dan
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 8:48amI love how Maryland’s “Director of Lottery Communications” says “We’re thrilled” and “We’re due and excited.” Considering how they scooped the Mega Lotto officials, you have to believe her. I‘ll bet they just can’t wait to collect their taxes from the ‘winner’!
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 8:20amAs with every issue our Marxist POS president has an opinion and here’s his observation.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yrVihsdTVk
Clearly more regulation is required here because ‘poor’ people are being targeted to buy lottery tickets.
Report Post »Ignore the fact that some people can’t control themselves and end up going bankrupt buying lottery tickets,moderation is the answer.Barry‘s answer to this ’problem‘ would be for the responsible gambler to subsidize the degenerate gambler who can’t control himself,clearly that’s the answer,I wouldn’t be surprised if some government stooge tried to enact such a law.
Baddoggy
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 8:36amI win the lottery every week. I dont play. I dont give the Government my hard earned mone on a scam. Let the losers play.
Report Post »Millions of people are willing to give up their paychecks to have a longshot of getting rich. the funny thing is we are headed to the way Zimbabwe went…Our money will soon be worthless.
A trillion dollars would not buy a loaf of bread….
SoupSammich
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 8:42amWhen we were sold on the lotto, our schools would be so much better and the funding would be stupendous. Surely after this mega load of bucks into the school fund, we can go ahead and get rid of the Dep of Edu and NEA next week, right? It would happen in one of the most heavily Fed union and dole areas in the country, just odds and math at work.
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 8:43amMoney and more money is not a good foundation. Put God first….
Report Post »Cat
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 11:11amSoup >
Correct
The state-run lotteries are nothing more then a union gang scam to insure SEIU benefits continue to pour in.
It’s as obvious as my schoolteacher neighbor.
She’s 45, out of shape, and teaches ‘physical education awareness’ making $121,000 per year (all included from 2011 records) and plans on retiring at 50, and her reasoning is, she’s been teaching for 20 years and deserves it.
Her teaching degree education was paid for by a PEL grant
Her entire life has been paid for by forcing someone else to pay.
No wonder the liberal justices were surprise at the petitioning attorneys during the arguments against the AHCA … It’s their mindset … Everyone simply deserves it.
Report Post »Toxic Pirate
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 7:55amI guess I‘m nuts cause I DON’T play.
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 11:38amSame here. Whatever you want to do with your money…I choose to buy alittle more groceries to give to my local food bank. I am already a WINNER…I know where I am going to spend eternity!
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 7:43amWith this economy, nobody had anything to lose. At least you knew where your money went…smh.
Report Post »MKDAWUSS
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 8:02amAnd you probably know where your winnings are going.
… straight to Barack.
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 7:37amHmmm…I’m checking, I’m checking…
Report Post »