Lottery winner scoops $230m

One person won at least $230m (€181m) in the Mega Millions lottery, becoming the biggest winner in the game’s history.

The lucky ticket, purchased at a gas station in Stephens City, Virginia, matched all five lotto numbers and the Mega Ball number to win the 11-state jackpot. Lottery officials waited today to see if the winner would come forward. The numbers drawn last night were: 1, 13, 20, 21, 30 and the Mega Ball 24.

Lottery officials were tallying the final jackpot, driven beyond the $230m mark by bigger Friday sales than expected, said Penelope Kyle, Virginia Lottery director.

The jackpot was the only topic of conversation at the convenience store where the ticket was sold, the Red Apple Shell station.

“Oh my gosh, you don’t know how excited we are, and we didn’t even win the ticket,” said Dangie Robinson, a clerk at the station.

She said the store was abuzz this morning with news that the winning ticket was sold there and excited at the prospect of receiving money from lottery officials. Kyle said store owner Harry Simpson would receive $25,000 (€19,000).

The record jackpot led to higher ticket sales, despite the bleak odds of winning – one in 135,145,920, according to the Mega Millions web site.

“It’s a chance to get something you don’t have,” said Minnie Young, 65, of Dayton, Ohio, who bought five tickets. “Somebody’s got to win. Why not me? I’ve got four sisters. I could give them the money too.”

The record draw was moved from Atlanta to New York City’s Times Square.

States participating in the game are Georgia, Virginia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas and Washington.