close
close

$1.2 Billion March 2024 Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot Still Unclaimed

A Texas player won the $810 million Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday night, but an even bigger prize from earlier this year — the fifth-largest jackpot in the game’s history — remains unclaimed.

The first Mega Millions jackpot of 2024 was won on March 26 and was worth an estimated $1.128 billion. However, the New Jersey player who won the billion-dollar jackpot has yet to claim his prize, the lottery said.

According to Jackpocket, jackpot winners in New Jersey have up to one year to claim their Mega Millions prize.

New Jersey winners have the option to remain anonymous, but they must present identification when they pick up their prize at lottery headquarters, the lottery said.

The second Mega Millions jackpot of the year was won on June 4 by a player from Illinois. The jackpot was $552 million, the lottery said.

Here’s what you need to know about the unclaimed Mega Millions ticket.

Lottery winner: Massachusetts man who played same lottery numbers for 20 years finally wins Mega Millions

What happens if no one wins the Mega Millions jackpot?

If a jackpot prize goes unclaimed, each participating state in the Mega Millions game will receive back all money it contributed.

States use their unclaimed lottery winnings for a variety of purposes, but unclaimed prize money typically remains in the state’s state lottery fund.

In New Jersey, where the March jackpot was won, lottery sales are a contributing factor to pension funds for its public employees. The people who would benefit are teachers, police officers, firefighters and other government workers, the lottery said.

Table game winner: Chiefs fan wins $1.6 million at Vegas poker game after Kansas City beats Baltimore

Did anyone else win in the September 10th drawing?

The Mega Millions jackpot has been reset to $20 million after a Texas player won the $810 million jackpot on Tuesday.

If the Texas player hits all five white balls and the gold Mega Ball, he could win $409.3 million in cash, the lottery said.

The numbers were 1, 2, 16, 24 And 66 and the Mega Ball was 6The ticket was sold at Murphy USA 8848 in Sugar Land, Texas, the lottery said.

Tuesday’s drawing made other Mega Millions players million-dollar winners. Four lucky players from California, Florida, New York and Washington won $1 million after matching all the white ball numbers for the Match 5, the lottery said.

The jackpot stands at $20 million for the Friday, Sept. 13 drawing. Seven Mega Millions jackpots were won on Friday the 13th, the lottery said.

According to the lottery, a player who wins the jackpot on Friday could take home $10.1 million in cash.

What are the biggest Mega Millions jackpots?

According to the lottery, these are the top 10 jackpots won through September 10:

  1. $1.602 billion, August 8, 2023; a player from Florida
  2. $1.537 billion, October 23, 2018; a player from South Carolina
  3. $1.348 billion, January 13, 2023; a player from Maine
  4. $1.337 billion, July 29, 2022; an Illinois player
  5. $1.128 billion, March 26, 2024; a New Jersey payer
  6. $1.050 billion, January 22, 2021; a player from Michigan
  7. $810 million, September 10, 2024; a player from Texas
  8. $656 million, March 30, 2012; one player each from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland
  9. $648 million, December 17, 2013; one player from California and Georgia
  10. $552 million, June 4, 2024; an Illinois player

How do you play Mega Millions?

To purchase a ticket, you will need to go to your local grocery store, gas station, or convenience store. In some states, you can also purchase tickets online.

To play, you have to choose six numbers. Five numbers are white balls from 1 to 70. The golden Mega Ball is a number between 1 and 25.

If you think the odds are slim, ask for a “Quick Pick” or an “Easy Pick.” The computer will randomly generate the numbers for you.

Players can add the “Megaplier” for $1, which can increase non-major prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. The Megaplier is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesdays and Fridays.

There are 15 Megapiler balls in total:

  • 2Xfive balls
  • 3Xsix balls
  • 4Xthree balls
  • 5Xone ball

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores, and supermarkets. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order lottery tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in the following U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to choose your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket, and collect your winnings, all from the comfort of your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Problem gambling? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.

Contributions: Haadiza Ogwude.