Record Megabucks Prize Claimed by Springfield Trust
A Springfield trust collected a $29.71 million Megabucks jackpot on October 28 after a ticket sold in Holyoke hit the top prize.
By Ana Salazar ·
The largest Megabucks jackpot ever awarded, $29.71 million, has been claimed by a Springfield entity. The Massachusetts Lottery said Potato Head Trust took possession of the prize on October 28, acting through trustee Hyman Darling. The trust elected a lump-sum payment of $19,635,669 before taxes rather than an annuity.
Darling said the trust's name came from the winner, who chose it to honor someone they knew and who reminded them of Mr. Potato Head. The jackpot had been set in the drawing held September 7. The winning ticket was purchased before that drawing at King Mart on Westfield Road in Holyoke, and the lottery said the store receives a $50,000 bonus for selling it.
The $29.71 million figure exceeds any prior Megabucks top prize since the game began in 1982. The previous high was $21,714,520, drawn October 16, 1985, followed by $21,148,080 on January 8, 1986. Other large jackpots include $18,218,080 on March 10, 1984, $16,350,000 on September 10, 2022, and $15,619,880 on July 14, 1984.
Megabucks is a progressive jackpot game offered only in Massachusetts. Players match six numbers to take the top prize. Drawings run Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9 p.m.
Source: WNEU
