Indiana family claims huge jackpot

Drawing Date: 7/8/2016

July 29, 2016 - Hoosier Lottery Executive Director Sarah Taylor announced today that one Indiana family claimed, as Warren D, LLC., the July 8, 2016, $536 million Mega Millions jackpot. Taylor presented a representative for the family with their winnings at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Just an average weekend

“The family was headed out of state on a trip for their children’s travel sports activities, as they had done many times before. They made a quick stop at a gas station just off the I-70 exit in Cambridge City for gas and a few other items,” Lauren Littlefield, spokesperson for the family said. “On a whim, they purchased five Mega Millions tickets after seeing the jackpot was so high.”

Complete disbelief

“The Mega Millions tickets were pulled from a pocket when they returned home from their weekend trip,” continued Littlefield. “They checked the tickets for matching numbers on the Hoosier Lottery website. All the numbers on the second row matched. In disbelief, they actually closed their Internet browser and tried it again, even restarted their computer. They couldn’t believe their eyes.”

Hoosier spirit

“The family feels extremely blessed but also overwhelmed,” said Littlefield. “They have chosen to remain private to protect the safety and well-being of their children. Their priorities are to use the winnings to pay off debt, plan for their children’s futures, and take care of their family long-term. They love Indiana. They can’t imagine living anywhere else. They intend to continue raising their children here and supporting other Hoosiers.”

Record jackpot

This claim is the largest jackpot claim in the history of the Hoosier Lottery and the third largest in the history of the Mega Millions game. Hoosier Lottery Executive Director Sarah Taylor said, “This is a wonderful Hoosier story of a Hoosier family with strong Indiana roots. All of us at the Hoosier Lottery congratulate our new Mega Millions winners.”

Indy 500 connection

In March 2016, the Hoosier Lottery and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway partnered together on the Official Scratch-off ticket for the Indy 500's 100th running. Allison Melangton, Sr. Vice President of Events for Hulman Motorsports Corporation stated, “The Hoosier Lottery and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have two big things in common; we are places where history is made and lives are changed. So it really could not be more appropriate to announce our Mega Millions jackpot winner here.”

Big payout

The winners had the choice to take payment of the $536 million as a 30-year annuity or in a one-time lump sum payment. The winners chose to take the lump-sum cash option of $378 million (before taxes). The final payout will be $271 million after taxes.

One ticket matched all six numbers in the July 8, 2016 Mega Millions drawing. The winning numbers for the July 8, 2016 drawing are: 8-19-20-55-73. The Mega Ball number is 5.  The winning ticket was purchased at the Speedway at 1589 N State Road 1 in Cambridge City, IN.
Mega Millions jackpot odds are 1 in 258,890,850.  Overall odds are 1 in 15.