Five Florida co-workers win $1 million first time playing Mega Millions

Drawing Date: 3/18/2014

March 20, 2014 - The Florida Lottery announces that Rhonda Denis, 51, of Vero Beach, claimed a $1 million Mega Millions prize from the drawing held on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. Denis will share the prize with four of her co-workers who decided on Tuesday to try their luck playing Mega Millions for the first time. The winning ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers, which were 11-19-24-33-51, and did not match the Mega Ball, which was 7.

Denis and her co-workers chipped in a few quarters to purchase their first ticket as a group, using birthdays, lucky numbers and ages to compete their playslip. The group said they were still in shock that they won on their first try and would continue to play moving forward. 

Denis purchased the winning ticket from Publix, located at 415 21st Street in Vero Beach. The retailer received a $1,000 bonus commission for selling the $1 million Mega Millions ticket.

Florida had more than 382,000 winners in this drawing, including one additional $1 million winner and its first-ever jackpot winner, who will split the $414 million jackpot with a winner in Maryland. All Florida winners have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim his/her prize. If the jackpot winner chooses the one-time, lump-sum cash payment option, the claim must be filed within 60 days after the winning draw date.