Virginia Lottery player misses Mega Millions jackpot but still wins huge $3 million prize
Williamsburg, Virginia – A Virginia lottery player is holding a ticket worth an incredible $3 million after Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing. What would have been a $1 million prize tripled in value, all because the ticket buyer opted for the Megaplier, a small extra investment that made a massive difference.
A Winning Ticket Found in James City County
The lucky ticket was purchased at the 7-Eleven located at 1800 Jamestown Road in James City County, just outside Williamsburg. This ticket successfully matched the first five numbers drawn—8, 20, 48, 58, and 60—but missed the Mega Ball number, which was 7. Had the Mega Ball also been matched, the winner would have walked away with the entire jackpot.
While no one nationwide won the full jackpot, this particular Virginia ticket was one of only two in the country to match the first five numbers. The decision to include the Megaplier feature increased the total prize from $1 million to a staggering $3 million, turning an already significant win into a life-changing amount.
Steps for the Winner to Claim the Prize
The Virginia Lottery reminds the winner that they have 180 days from the drawing date to claim the prize. Before doing anything else, lottery officials strongly recommend signing the back of the ticket immediately to establish ownership. Once ready to collect the winnings, the ticket holder should contact the Virginia Lottery for further instructions.
Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 p.m. and are streamed live at www.valottery.com. The odds of winning the $1 million prize in Mega Millions stand at 1 in 12,607,306, making this victory an extremely rare and fortunate event. The jackpot for the Friday, March 14, drawing is an estimated $277 million.
The Power of the Megaplier
This win highlights the impact of the Megaplier, an optional feature available for an extra dollar. The Megaplier multiplies non-jackpot prizes, significantly boosting winnings for those who choose to include it. In this case, it transformed a standard million-dollar payout into a life-changing $3 million jackpot.
Virginia lottery players are encouraged to check their tickets and keep an eye on upcoming drawings, as opportunities for big wins continue. Whoever holds this winning ticket has a major financial opportunity ahead—one that all started with a simple visit to a convenience store.
