CHICAGO (AP) — Two people who wished to remain anonymous claimed the $1.337 billion Mega Millions jackpot after a single ticket was sold for the draw at the end of July in suburban Chicago, opting to take a $780.5 million lump sum payout, lottery officials said Wednesday.
The Illinois Lottery announced that the prize for the July 29 drawing which was the third largest lottery win in the country, claimed by two people who agreed to split the prize if they won. The two, who followed the lead of the vast majority of winners who chose to remain anonymous, had until Sept. 27 to choose a lump sum payment, said Emilia Mazur, a spokeswoman for Camelot Illinois, the private operator of the Illinois lottery. .
The Illinois Lottery said it could not share any information about the winners, except that they must be absolutely “not happy” with their Mega Millions winnings. Illinois is one of at least 16 states where winners can remain anonymous.
Lottery officials said the two men have spent the past few weeks working with professional legal and financial advisers to support the lawsuit process — something experts recommend lottery winners do.
“These winners are now in the enviable position of deciding what to do with their newfound wealth,” said Illinois Lottery Director Harold Mays.
According to megamillions.com, one jackpot winning ticket was purchased at a Speedway gas station and convenience store in Des Plaines.
Winning numbers: 13-36-45-57-67, Mega Ball: 14.
The jackpot has grown so big because no one has matched the game’s six chosen numbers since April 15th. That’s 29 consecutive draws without a jackpot winner. Since no one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since the July 29 drawing, the jackpot is now approximately $301 million.