A Mega Millions lottery ticket worth $5 million that was sold at a Publix in Crystal River missed out on the $619 million jackpot by just one number.
The Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday produced a total of over 1 million winning tickets at all prize levels, according to a press release from the organization.
Tuesday’s winning numbers (12, 14, 26, 48, and 52) were matched by four tickets, which all earned the second-tier prize of $1 million. The ticket that was sold in Crystal River, however, is worth $5 million because it included the optional “Megaplier,” which is available for an extra $1 purchase.
On Tuesday, the winning multiplier was 5x. As of Wednesday, December 11, the ticket had not yet been claimed.
According to the organization, the other three tickets that won $1 million prizes were purchased in California and Maryland.
Around the country, approximately 29 tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega ball to win third-tier prizes ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.
To participate in Mega Millions, players pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers – five different numbers from 1 to 70 (white balls) and one number from 1 to 25 (gold Mega Ball).
The jackpot is won by matching all six winning numbers.
Although the cost to participate in Mega Millions is currently $2, beginning in April 2025, the price will be raised to $5.
The Mega Millions jackpot is offered in at least 45 states. Florida joined in May 2013. There are two drawings held each week at 11 p.m. EST every Tuesday and Friday.
There have been around 26 drawings for the current jackpot since it began on Friday, September 13.