Florida resident takes home $US1.58 billion in lottery jackpot
Someone in Florida won a $US1.58 billion ($2.4 billion) Mega Millions jackpot Tuesday night, ending a stretch of lottery futility that had stretched for nearly four months.
The winning numbers drawn were: 13 19 20 32 33 and the yellow ball: 14.
Before the big win Tuesday night, there had been 31 straight drawings since the last time someone won the game's jackpot on April 18.
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Someone in Florida won a $1.58 billion Mega Millions jackpot Tuesday night, ending a stretch of lottery futility that had stretched for nearly four months. AP
That enabled the prize to steadily grow to be the third-largest ever in US history.
Mega Millions jackpot winners are so rare thanks to odds of one in 302.6 million.
The $2.4 billion payout would go to the winner if they opt for an annuity, doled out over 30 years.
But people usually prefer a lump sum option, which for Tuesday's jackpot is an estimated $US783.3 million ($1.1 billion).
The prize money is subject to federal taxes. Many states also tax lottery winnings.
Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands.
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