Mississippi Coworkers Claim $1 Million Mega Millions with Megaplier Prize
Hodge, a Clinton, Miss. resident claimed the prize on behalf of himself and a coworker, Jason Haynes of Brandon, Miss. Both men shared that they regularly participate in their workplace Lottery pools.
"This is hard to believe; it just hasn't quite hit me yet," Hodge shared.
Hodge's ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers, but missed the yellow Mega Ball number. Mega Millions players, like Hodge, who add the $1 Megaplier option to their ticket can increase any nonjackpot prizes up to four times, but "match-5" prizes become a replacement prize of $1 million instead of the usual $250,000. The winning numbers for the April 6 drawing were 02-19-20-24-33 and the Mega Ball was 39.
Hodge received $700,029 after federal and state taxes were withheld.
The winning ticket was purchased from Delta Discount on Highway 193 I-20 Exit 185 in Delta. The store will receive a bonus of $10,000, which is 1 percent of the prize, for selling Hodge the winning ticket.
Lottery ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age. Draw-style game tickets must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing. Anyone who may have a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem should call toll free 1-877-770-7867 for help. For security purposes, the Lottery strongly encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing.
