A Mega Millions ticket sold in Florida wins US$1.58 billion jackpot, the third-largest in U.S. history

Lottery player Mariano Velasquez holds forms to pick numbers for the Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries as he buys tickets, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, at the Presidente Supermarket in the Little Havana neighbourhood of Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — A single ticket sold in Florida is good for a $1.58 billion Mega Millions jackpot, ending weeks of anticipation over who would win the eye-popping top prize.

A Publix grocery store in Neptune Beach sold the winning ticket, according to the Florida Lottery. The winning numbers drawn Tuesday night were 13, 19, 20, 32, 33 and the yellow ball 14.

A message was left seeking comment Wednesday from Publix.

James F. Davis, secretary of the Florida Lottery, said Wednesday that officials don't yet know who bought the winning ticket. He noted that the person has 180 days to present the ticket to lottery officials in Tallahassee to receive the winnings.

"These individuals are going to perhaps contact a lawyer, contact a financial adviser and make sure they get their ducks in a row," Davis told The Associated Press. "Because as you know when you are a winner you have an opportunity to be able to make such a difference in so many individual lives."

Davis was in Iowa on Wednesday for a meeting of the Multi-State Lottery Association.

"I actually walked into the meeting room and everyone proceeded to start clapping, which was pretty exciting and exhilarating all at the same time," he said.

Davis said he had been holding out hope that Florida would get a big winner in one of the multi-state lottery games, such as Mega Millions and Powerball.

"I'll just tell you the last two winners of the Powerball have been in California, and I've been keeping my fingers crossed for the next winner to be here in the state of Florida," he said.

One Publix employee arriving for work at the Neptune Beach store saw another and said "Mary, did you win the billion dollars?"

"Nope, and I assume you didn't, either," replied the other.

A message was left Wednesday seeking comment from Publix about the ticket sold in Neptune Beach.

With just over 7,000 residents, Neptune Beach is one of many beachside communites on northeast Florida's Atlantic Coast, about 16 miles (25 kilometres) east of Jacksonville. Like any beach town, it has a mix of affluent and less-affluent neighborhoods and the area is home to several former and current players of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars.

Before the big win, there had been 31 straight drawings since the last time someone won the game's jackpot on April 18. That enabled the prize to steadily grow to be the third-largest in U.S. history.

Mega Millions jackpot winners are so rare thanks to odds of one in 302.6 million.

The US$1.58 billion payout would go to the winner if they opt for an annuity, doled out over 30 years. But people usually prefer a lump sum option, which for Tuesday's jackpot was an estimated US$783.3 million.

The prize money is subject to federal taxes. Many states also tax lottery winnings.

A Florida law that went into effect last year allows the winners of lottery prizes in excess of US$250,000 to remain anonymous for 90 days. Also of note, there is no state income tax in Florida.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Walker reported from New York; Frisaro reported from Fort Lauderdale.