Illinois resident claims staggering $349 million Mega Millions jackpot win
A ticket perfectly matched all winning numbers to clinch the astounding $349 million Mega Millions jackpot on March 25, 2025.
The lucky winners, who opted to stay incognito, visited the Illinois Lottery to seize their winnings earlier this week. Their pseudonym, "Blessed," hints at their fortunate circumstances, but their true identities remain undisclosed.
An Age of Wealth for Illinois
In Cortland, Illinois, at Casey's General Store on 70 S. Somonauk Road, the winning ticket was sold. The retailer garnered a handsome bonus of $500,000 for selling the life-altering ticket.
The recent $349 million Mega Millions jackpot win marks the fourth jackpot scored in Illinois over the past few years.
To rewind slightly, in June 2021, an individual claimed a $56 million Mega Millions prize after purchasing a ticket at a Crestwood gas station. Cut to July 2022, when an incredibly fortunate player bagged a staggering $1.34 billion Mega Millions jackpot, the largest lottery prize in Illinois' history, bought at a Des Plaines gas station. Most recently, in June 2024, an online player took home an astounding $552 million, setting the record for the largest prize ever won by an online lottery player in the U.S.
A Single Quick Pick for the Top Prize
Predictably, the winners of the $349 million Mega Millions jackpot have chosen to retain their anonymity. They selected the nickname "Blessed," though their real identities may remain a secret forever.
When questioned about their windfall, the winners shared that they "took a chance and bought a single Quick Pick ticket." They expressed exuberance, feeling both amazed and grateful. The winners plan to use their fortune to benefit others and pay it forward, viewing their newfound wealth as a "gift that keeps on giving."
The sales of Mega Millions tickets in Illinois provide a crucial financial boost for education. During the jackpot draw alone, Mega Millions tickets amassed nearly $24 million in sales, with over $9 million returned to the Common School Fund, which supports K-12 education in the state.
Without a doubt, the $349 million jackpot represents a monumental win for Illinois, as the chances of winning the top prize from Mega Millions are a staggering 1 in 290,472,336. The odds of winning any prize from Mega Millions are 1 in 23, but fortunately for these winners, they played their cards right!
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For the latest updates on recent winners, check out official lottery websites, read articles in major news outlets, or follow the official lottery social media accounts. If the winners remain anonymous, it's likely due to privacy laws in the state.
The lucky winners, who opted to stay anonymous, visited the Illinois Lottery to claim their astounding $349 million Mega Millions jackpot, won through a single Quick Pick ticket purchased in Cortland, Illinois. This record-breaking win marks the fifth jackpot scored in Illinois over the past four years. The sales of Mega Millions tickets provide a crucial financial boost for education in the state.
