First-Time Minnesota Player Wins $1 Million Drawing Date: 7/29/2022 August 3, 2022 - The excitement leading up to last Friday’s $1.3 billion Mega Millions jackpot prompted one Minnesota player to get in the game for the first time. “I thought, why not – it’s only a couple of bucks,” said the lucky Mega Millions player who purchased two quick pick tickets at a Holiday Stationstore in Forest Lake. After checking their ticket on Saturday following the drawing, they realized they had “all but one number” to win $1 million. When asked if they have thought about what they would like to do with the prize money, the winner replied, “Not one bit!” We still don’t believe it’s real so we can’t spend what we don’t have yet.” Adding, “We have kids and grandkids, so we’ll definitely do something fun!” The Holiday Stationstore that sold the winning ticket is located at 1208 W. Broadway Ave. in Forest Lake. The business earned a $5,000 bonus for selling the $1 million ticket. The other $1 million Mega Millions winning ticket won in Minnesota on July 29 was purchased at Casey’s General Store at 7295 University Ave. N.E. in Fridley. It has not yet been presented for payment. Winners have one year from the drawing date to claim prizes. Ticket sales in Minnesota during the billion-dollar jackpot run, which began April 19, helped raise approximately $9.8 million to support vital state services and environmental projects in every Minnesota county.