Winning Mega Millions Numbers For $1.6B Jackpot

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — The digital sign outside the Save More Exxon on Bright Star Road in suburban Atlanta is way off concerning Tuesday’s Mega Million jackpot. The sign reads $999 million because it doesn’t have the ability to reflect the $1.6 billion jackpot the Mega Millions has ballooned to for the Oct. 23 drawing.

Continuing its record run, the $1.6 billion jackpot is the largest in U.S. history. The Mega Millions one-time cash payout is $904 million. The winning numbers will be drawn at 11 p.m. ET Tuesday. The numbers that come up most often are 2, 20, 11, 31 and 17. The most frequent Mega Ball number is 9, lottery officials say.

Qadeer Skrwer, a clerk at Save More Exxon, said the gas station has been selling tickets like crazy on Tuesday. "It's been extremely busy all day," he said. "One guy came in and bought 100 tickets; he spent $200."

The winning Mega Millions jackpot numbers for Tuesday, Oct. 23, are: 28, 70, 05, 62, 65 and the Megaball of 05.

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Douglasville resident Edward Bridges only bought one ticket.

"That's all you need," he said.

What's the first thing he's going to do after he wins?

"Lawyer up," he laughed. "Then, I'm going to take care of all of my family. My family would live rich for the rest of our days. After that, I'd probably take some trips and start a business. I'd like to start something to help people get jobs. I'd spend it wisely."

Rita Hawes, from Douglasville, doesn’t usually buy a Mega Millions ticket but couldn’t resist buying one Monday. “If I have an extra $2, I play it,” she told Patch. “I usually play Fantasy Five. I’m pretty sure I’ve given them a million dollars over the years.”

As for Mega Millions, is Hawes confident she’s going to win?

“Yes. Isn’t that what you have to say? If I won, I'd help my family and friends, of course, but I’d like to start a shelter and help abused women and children. I’d also like to help abused pets. I’d like to take a trip back to Africa, too. I used to live there.”

“This is an incredibly exciting time for Georgians,” Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin said. “Our players are having a lot of fun, and students across the state benefit with each Mega Millions and Powerball ticket purchased in Georgia.”

Meanwhile, Powerball is making a run of its own. Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot has grown to $620 million – the third largest Powerball jackpot and the sixth largest jackpot in U.S. history. The Powerball cash option is $354 million.

There wasn’t a long line of players on Monday afternoon, but the Mega Millions jackpot had people lined out the door for about five hours at the Save More Exxon Friday, said clerk Laura Price.

“Many people said it was their first time buying a ticket,” she said. “I think everyone should take a shot at the $1.6 billion. You know you sure didn’t win if you don’t play. I call it mega zillions now. Some people were buying $100 worth of tickets at a time.”

“I’d help the people around here who have trouble with drugs and alcohol,” Price said. “That kind of money can change lives. People need resources for help. Of course, I’d pay off my mortgage and help my kids too.”

How To Play Mega Millions

Mega Millions tickets are $2 each. For an additional $1 per play, Mega Millions players can multiply prizes with the Megaplier option. Mega Millions also offers an optional $3 wager Just the Jackpot that allows players to receive two entries for a chance to win the game’s jackpot prize only.

Mega Millions and Powerball tickets can be purchased at Georgia Lottery retailers statewide. Georgia residents also can purchase tickets via the Georgia Lottery app or online at www.galottery.com.

As with all other Georgia Lottery games, proceeds from Mega Millions and Powerball will benefit education in the state of Georgia.

Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corp. has returned more than $19.8 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs, including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Pre-K Program. More than 1.8 million students have received HOPE, and more than 1.6 million 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.

MEGA MILLIONS FAST FACTS

• Draw Date: Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018
• Estimated Jackpot Amount: $1.6 billion
• Annuity Amount: Jackpot prize paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual graduated payments
• Cash Option Amount: Approximately $904 million
• Cost to Play: $2 per play; additional $1 per play for Megaplier; $3 for Just the Jackpot
• Drawings: 11 p.m. (ET) every Tuesday and Friday
• Overall Odds of Winning Any Prize: Approximately 1:24
• Odds of Winning Jackpot Prize: Approximately 1:302 million
• Date Jackpot Began Rolling: July 27, 2018
• Number of Rolls: 25
• Last Winning Jackpot Ticket: July 24, 2018 – $543 million (California)
• #1 Mega Millions Jackpot: current jackpot
• #2 Mega Millions Jackpot: March 30, 2012 – $656 million (Illinois, Kansas and Maryland)

For more information on the Georgia Lottery Corp., Mega Millions and Powerball, visit:
www.galottery.com, www.megamillions.com and www.powerball.com

Buy your Georgia Mega Millions tickets here.

Claiming, Safeguarding Winnings

So, what should you do if you are lucky enough to claim the Mega Millions jackpot? Many lottery winners hire an attorney, financial planner or both, since most people don't exactly know what to do when they suddenly come into so much money. Some even bring their lawyer with them to claim their prize. The lottery does not offer any counseling services or financial advice for winners.

You have two choices when you claim your prize: the full value paid in 30 installments over 29 years, or a one-time lump sum that is smaller than the actual total. Then there are the taxes. The federal tax on lottery winnings is 25 percent. Then, any extra income taxes like state or city would apply.

Financial experts say that if you can get more than a 3 or 4 percent return on an investment, the lump sum is actually the best way to go in the long-term.

Photos by Patch Editor John Barker