Virginia Lottery Winner Claims $5 Million Scratch-Off Prize—Are You Holding the Next Ticket?

Update: Anonymous Player Claims Record $348 Million Mega Millions Jackpot in Virginia, Plans First Purchase—a Lawn Mower RICHMOND, Va.—Virginia Lottery officials have confirmed that the single ticket that hit the $348 million Mega Millions jackpot on June 27 has been claimed, setting a new state record for the largest lottery prize ever awarded. The lucky ticket was purchased at E & C Mid-Atlantic on Northumberland Highway in the rural community of Burgess, about 80 miles east of Richmond. According to lottery representatives, the winner elected to remain anonymous, as Virginia law permits for prizes over $10 million. In a brief statement released through legal counsel, the winner said that their first major purchase will be a riding lawn mower—an anecdote that has already gone viral on social media. Jackpot details • Winning numbers: 18 – 21 – 29 – 42 – 50 and Mega Ball 2 • Cash option chosen: $161.3 million before taxes • Retailer bonus: E & C Mid-Atlantic receives $100,000 for selling the ticket Virginia Lottery Executive Director Kelly T. Gee called the payout “a watershed moment for a program that has generated more than $12 billion for K-12 public education since 1988.” She added that more than 2,700 public schools statewide receive a share of lottery profits every year. What happens next The winner has already completed financial counseling and met the state’s mandatory 24-hour waiting period before funds are released. The Virginia Lottery advises all jackpot winners to: 1. Sign the back of the ticket immediately. 2. Consult a certified financial planner and tax professional. 3. Keep personal details off social media to avoid scams. Upcoming drawings and odds • Powerball climbs to $700 million for Monday night’s drawing. • Mega Millions resets to its $20 million starting jackpot. • Virginia Lottery scratch-off games currently offer six unclaimed top prizes of $1 million or more. How to play responsibly Players must be 18 or older. The Virginia Lottery offers the voluntary “MyGameRoom” self-exclusion program and partners with the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling for free counseling services. Key takeaway With the $348 million claim now official, the Virginia Lottery has entered national headlines yet again—bolstering education funding, rewarding a small-town retailer, and reminding players everywhere that record jackpots really can strike in the most unexpected places.