Idaho Million Dollar Mega Millions Ticket Mystery Solved

The Mega Millions concluded a historic run after Friday’s $1.35 billion draw.

The Friday, January 13 jackpot was the second-largest jackpot in gaming history. A single jackpot-winning ticket was sold at Hometown Gas & Grill in Lebanon, Maine. We still don’t know who the winner is, but according to lottery officials, this is the first time Pine Tree State has produced a Mega Millions jackpot winner.

Are we crushed that the ticket didn’t sell in Idaho? Yes. Are we just as crushed that none of the 14 second-tier tickets worth $1 million sold in Idaho? Also, yes.

Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot Surpasses $1 Billion

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But, saying that out loud makes us sound greedy because the truth is, Idaho got lucky in that historic race that started Oct. 18. Since the jackpot started rolling, 82 second tier prizes worth $1 million or more have been sold in 25 different states. You can remember what you were told Not only did one of those million dollar tickets sell in Idaho, it also sold near you!

Just before Christmas, the Idaho Lottery revealed a $1 million Mega Millions ticket had been sold in Ada County for the November 15 draw, but no one had come forward to claim the prize. price. It wasn’t until this ad started making its way through social media and local media that the winners (yes, plural) found out they had the winning ticket.

According to the Idaho Lottery, a group of nine people came to their office on Jan. 9 with the winning ticket. They call themselves “The Big Friend Group” and have played the lottery together for over a decade.

Facebook/Idaho Lottery

Facebook/Idaho Lottery

Their pool table works a little differently than the one you play in your office. You know what we are talking about. This office pool where the office “bookmaker” comes to your office to ask if you want to put in money to buy tickets when there is a huge jackpot. They will buy all the tickets and then send pictures of themselves to everyone in the pool. You almost always say yes, because you feel like the only time you refuse will be the only time the band wins and you’ll be the only one not to give your two weeks notice after the draw.

In a Facebook post about winning, one of the friends explained how their pool works like this:

“Each month we take turns buying tickets. Each ticket has 9 lines, so every member can participate. We’ve been friends for 12 years now, and it’s a fun way for us to keep in touch. Of course, we never thought we’d win this big!”

In the press release, Idaho Lottery Director Jeff Anderson reminded players that it only takes one ticket to win. Each individual ticket has a 1 in 302,575,350 chance of winning the jackpot.

This winning ticket was sold at Jacksons #195, which appears to be one of their ExtraMile branded locations on Overland in Boise.

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