Virginia winner of $348 million Mega Millions jackpot opts for one time $155 million payout
Burgess, Virginia – The largest jackpot ever claimed in Virginia has officially been awarded — and the winner’s first major purchase is unexpectedly modest. The anonymous player told Virginia Lottery officials their first plan is to buy a “zero-radius riding lawn mower.”
The massive $348 million prize came from the June 27 Mega Millions drawing and was won by a single ticket sold at E & C Mid Atlantic, a convenience store located at 14878 Northumberland Highway in Burgess. That lucky ticket matched all six winning numbers: 18-21-29-42-50 and the Mega Ball 2.
Roughly four weeks after the drawing, the unidentified winner walked into the Virginia Lottery headquarters in Richmond and presented the winning ticket. Under state law, Virginia allows any winner of $1 million or more to remain anonymous, which this winner chose to do. Therefore, their name and any personal information will not be disclosed to the public.
One-Time Payment Over Installments
Winners of such a large prize are offered two options — annual payments over 30 years or a lump sum cash payout. The anonymous winner selected the one-time cash option, which amounts to $155.6 million before taxes. This approach gives winners immediate access to a significant portion of their prize without waiting for decades of installments.
Store That Sold Ticket Receives Bonus
On July 22, Virginia Lottery Executive Director Khalid R. Jones visited the store that sold the winning ticket to celebrate the historic win. He presented E & C Mid-Atlantic Vice President of Operations Juan Torres with a ceremonial check for $50,000, the retailer bonus for selling a winning jackpot ticket.
The win marks the 10th Mega Millions jackpot won in Virginia since the game launched in 2002, further solidifying the state’s strong presence in lottery history.
For now, the name of the winner remains a mystery — but somewhere in Virginia, someone is taking a life-changing ride into the future, perhaps on a brand new riding mower.
