Mega Millions, Tuesday, Sept. 26, $230 million: Florida Winn Dixie sold $1 million ticket

Lianna Norman and Jennifer Sangalang, Palm Beach Post
Updated ·12 min read

And just like that, another rollover led to a bigger prize.

Will a $2 Mega Millions ticket make you a multimillionaire? You'll never know unless you play.

In just one week, the jackpot has grown from $183 million to $230 million. In mere months, the jackpot climbed from $20 million to the current pot. This follows the summer months of a lottery frenzy with billion-dollar jackpots for Powerball and Mega Millions.

Tuesday, Sept. 26, numbers were 15-30-35-42-60 and the Mega Ball was 16. Megaplier was 4x. Those numbers will roll the jackpot over again, sending the grand prize for Friday to an estimated $267 million with a $123.6 million cash option.

Tuesday's drawing featured one big winner from Florida, as a ticket purchased here matched 5 balls for $1 million. Winn Dixie, 1360 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor, sold that winning ticket. Another ticket purchased in Texas won the Match 5 plus the Megaplier for a $4 million prize.

In case you're wondering, the Friday, Sept. 22, numbers were 10-13-14-57-66 and the Mega Ball was 3. Megaplier was 2x.

In July, someone in California won the Powerball jackpot for $1.08 billion and less than a month later, someone in Neptune Beach, Florida, won the largest Mega Millions jackpot in the history of the game at $1.58 billion. In a matter of weeks, this lottery grand prize has increased from $20 million to the current pot. The upward trajectory could continue if there's another rollover.

On July 19, a single ticket in California matched all five numbers plus the Powerball to win $1.08 billion, the largest jackpot since the record-setting $2.04 billion in November. On Aug. 8, a single ticket purchased at a Publix in Neptune Beach, Florida, matched all five numbers plus the Powerball to win $1.58 billion. On September 25, the winning ticket from Neptune Beach was claimed, according to The Associated Press. As of September 27, the identity of the jackpot winner remains anonymous. They have 90 days from when the winning ticket was claimed to remain anonymous.

Like Mega Millions, Powerball tickets start at $2 apiece.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Mega Millions, Powerball and lottery odds. Good luck!

A $1.586 billion Powerball tale: From a small town to 'Today' show with Savannah Guthrie to $6.2 million home

When life gives you $2 billion lotto win you buy 2 multimillion-dollar homes 20 miles from each other

How long has Mega Millions rolled over?

This series of rollovers started Aug. 18, when the jackpot was $20 million. Here's a snapshot of how high the jackpots have climbed in so short a time.

How much was the Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday, Sept. 26?

an estimated $230 million with a cash option of $107.8 million

How much was the Mega Millions jackpot for Friday, Sept. 22?

an estimated $205 million with a cash option of $98.1 million

How much was the Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday, Sept. 19?

an estimated $183 million with a cash option of $87.4 million

How much was the Mega Millions jackpot for Friday, Sept. 15?

an estimated $162 million with a cash option of $77.4 million

How much was the Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday, Sept. 12?

an estimated $141 million with a cash option of $68.3 million

Can I buy Florida lottery tickets online?

No. Some states have this option via an app or website, but not the Florida Lottery. Tickets cannot be purchased by mail, fax or online. There are more than 13,000 authorized Florida Lottery retailers here, the site states.

Powerball winner's Palazzo di Vista: Once listed at $88 million, this estate's fit for Tony Stark

I bought a Mega Millions ticket in another state. Can I cash in my winnings in Florida?

No. Mega Millions prizes must be claimed in the state where the ticket was purchased, the Florida Lottery says.

I bought Powerball ticket in another state. Can I cash in my winnings in Florida?

No. Powerball prizes must be claimed in the state where the ticket was purchased, the Florida Lottery says.

When do Florida lottery tickets expire?

Prizes for Florida Lottery must be claimed within 180 days (six months) from the date of the drawing. To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it. Florida Lottery says its scratch-off tickets and Fast Play game prizes "must be claimed within 60 days of the official end-of-game date. Once the applicable time period has elapsed, the related Florida Lottery ticket will expire."

What happens to the unclaimed prize money?

According to the Florida Lottery, state law requires 80% of unclaimed prize funds from expired tickets be transferred to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. The remaining 20% is returned to the prize pool for future drawings.

What happens to unclaimed Mega Millions prize money?

Should a Mega Millions ticket not be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date, "the funds to pay the unclaimed jackpot will be returned to the lottery members in their proportion of sales for the jackpot rollover series."

What happens to unclaimed Powerball prize money?

Should a Powerball ticket not be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date, the Florida Lottery site states, "the funds to pay the unclaimed jackpot will be returned to the lottery members in their proportion of sales for the jackpot rollover series." According to Powerball's site, "unclaimed prizes are kept by the lottery jurisdiction. If a Grand Prize goes unclaimed, the money must be returned to all lotteries in proportion to their sales for the draw run. The lotteries then distribute the money, based on their own jurisdiction's laws, to other lottery games or to their jurisdiction's general fund, or otherwise as required by law."

What are the odds of winning Mega Millions?

According to the Mega Millions website, you have a 1 in 302,575,350 chance to match all five white balls plus the gold Mega Ball. Prizes range from $2 (for matching the Mega Ball) to the grand prize jackpot, which varies.

What are the odds of winning Powerball?

Powerball drawings are held at 11 p.m. EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. According to Powerball.com, players have a 1 in 292.2 million chance to match all six numbers. Prizes range from $2 to the grand prize jackpot, which varies.

Are the odds of winning Powerball the same if the jackpot is $1 billion?

Players have a 1 in 24.9 chance of winning a prize, powerball.com states. Players have a 1 in 292.2 million chance to match all six numbers whether the jackpot is $20 million or $1 billion.

Can Florida lottery winners remain anonymous?

According to Florida Lottery's website, winners cannot remain anonymous: "Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide records containing information such as the winner's name, city of residence; game won, date won, and amount won to any third party who requests the information."

However, the site states, since May 25, 2022, the "names of lottery winners claiming prizes of $250,000 or greater will be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed, unless otherwise waived by the winner."

Lottery experts and lawyers have said there are ways to remain anonymous if you win.

Who won $1.58 billion Mega Millions prize on Aug. 8?

During the Mega Millions billion-dollar lotto frenzy this summer, several drawings rolled over since April 21 to Aug. 8, leading to a whopping $1.58 billion prize. It was the eighth time a Mega Millions or Powerball lottery reached $1 billion. Finally, a Mega Millions ticket purchased from a Publix in Neptune Beach matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball to win the largest prize in the history of the game.

Was it you? The Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, numbers were 13-19-20-32-33 and the Mega Ball was 14. Megaplier was 2x. That Tuesday drawing also produced a second-tier winner from Florida. A ticket from Kwik Stop in Hollywood matched five numbers to win $1 million.

How long does $1.58 billion Mega Millions winner have to claim their prize?

According to Mega Millions' site, "claim periods vary by jurisdiction based on local rules and regulations, so the time period for claiming prizes ranges from 90 days to one year from the draw date."

Because the $1.58 billion Mega Millions ticket was purchased (at a Publix) in Florida, Florida Lottery's rules state prizes of $1 million and above and prizes with an annual payment option must be claimed in-person via walk-in or appointment at lottery headquarters.

The site states, "Florida Lottery draw game prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the applicable draw date. Draw game prizes for which a single-payment cash option is available must be claimed within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to elect the cash option. Once the applicable time period has elapsed, the related Florida Lottery ticket will expire."

As of Sept. 26, the $1.58 billion Mega Millions prize winner has not come forward. Florida lottery winners' identities and details about where the winning tickets were sold are public record.

Who won $1.08 billion Powerball prize on July 19?

As of Sept. 26, the $1.08 billion Powerball jackpot winner has not come forward. The winning ticket was sold at Las Palmitas Mini Market on Wall Street, according to California Lottery officials.

How long does $1.08 billion Powerball winner have to claim the prize?

According to Powerball rules, "ticket expiration dates typically vary from 90 days to one year depending on the selling jurisdiction. The expiration date is often listed on the back of your ticket. If the expiration date is not listed, check with your lottery."

According to the California Lottery, Powerball and Mega Millions winners have one year from the date of the draw to claim their prize. The $1.08 billion Powerball winner has until July 19, 2024 − one year from the drawing date − to claim the grand prize at California Lottery headquarters. In California, it is public record to know the identities of lottery winners.

What is the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history? Who claimed $2.04 billion Powerball prize?

California Lottery Director Alva Johnson announces that Edwin Castro won November's record-high $2.04 billion PowerBall jackpot on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Sacramento, Calif. Castro declined to appear at the news conference but said in a written statement he was shocked and ecstatic. The jackpot ticket was sold at Joe's Service Center in Altadena, an unincorporated foothill community northeast of Los Angeles.

The largest lottery prize ever climbed to $2.04 billion in November. The jackpot was an estimated $1.9 billion days before the drawing, but lottery ticket sales helped it grow to more than $2 billion after updated calculations. A single ticket purchased in California won the grand prize, and the winner was revealed on Valentine's Day − Feb. 14, 2023. Edwin Castro won the largest-ever lottery jackpot, and he opted for a lump sum of $997.6 million, just shy of $1 billion, according to the California Lottery.

When did lotto jackpots hit $1 billion or more?

As of Sept. 26, 2023, there have been eight lottery jackpots that have reached or surpassed $1 billion. Only once has a jackpot surpassed $2 billion.

  • 8. $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: A single ticket won in Michigan.

  • 7. $1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: A single ticket won in California.

  • 6. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: A single ticket won in Illinois.

  • 5. $1.35 billion, Jan. 13, 2023: A single ticket was purchased in Maine.

  • 4. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: A single ticket won in South Carolina.

  • 3. $1.58 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023: A single ticket won in Neptune Beach, Florida

  • 2. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three tickets won from California, Florida, Tennessee.

  • 1. $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: A single ticket won in California.

Who won, how long did it take to win Powerball, Mega Millions and those billion-dollar jackpots?

What are the Top 10 largest Mega Millions jackpots ever?

According to its website, here are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots as of Sept. 26, 2023:

  • 10. $536 million — July 8, 2016; Indiana

  • 9. $543 million — July 24, 2018; California

  • 8. $648 million — Dec. 17, 2013; California and Georgia

  • 7. $656 million — March 30, 2012; Illinois, Kansas and Maryland

  • 6. $1.05 billion — Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan

  • 5. $1.08 billion — July 19, 2023; California

  • 4. $1.337 billion — July 29, 2022; Illinois

  • 3. $1.35 billion — Jan. 13, 2023; Maine

  • 2. $1.537 billion — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina

  • 1. $1.58 billion — Aug. 8, 2023; Florida

What are the Top 10 largest Powerball jackpots ever?

Here are the Top 10 Powerball jackpots as of Sept. 26, 2023:

  • 10. $687.8 million — Oct. 27, 2018; Iowa and New York

  • 9. $699.8 million — Oct. 4, 2021; California

  • 8. $731.1 million — Jan. 20, 2021; Maryland

  • 7. $754.6 million — Feb. 6, 2023; Washington

  • 6. $758.7 million — Aug. 23, 2017; Massachusetts

  • 5. $768.4 million — March 27, 2019; Wisconsin

  • 4. $835 million ― Sept. 27, 2023? TBD

  • 3. $1.08 billion — July 19, 2023; California

  • 2. $1.586 billion — Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida and Tennessee

  • 1. $2.04 billion — Nov. 7, 2022; California

What are the Top 10 largest lottery jackpots ever?

The following Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots made the Top 10 biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history, as of Sept. 26, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Did anyone win Mega Millions for Tuesday, September 26, 2023?