TRENTON, NJ — A Mega Millions ticket sold in Illinois matched all five white balls and the gold Mega Ball in Tuesday’s drawing to win the $344 million jackpot, lottery officials announced. The winner selected the annuity option, with a cash value of $159.1 million.
The winning numbers drawn on March 26 were 01, 05, 17, 39, and 62, with the Mega Ball 08 and Megaplier 02.
New Jersey players also scored significant secondary prizes. Tickets sold in Salem and Camden counties each matched four white balls and the gold Mega Ball. With the $1 Megaplier option added, those winnings were boosted to $20,000 apiece. A third player in Middlesex County matched the same numbers but did not select the Megaplier option, resulting in a $10,000 win.
The winning New Jersey retailers include:
- Broadway Deli, 226 North Broadway, Pennsville (Salem County)
- 7-Eleven #10924, 721 Kings Highway, Cherry Hill (Camden County)
- Buy Rite, 456 Renaissance Blvd., North Brunswick (Middlesex County)
Beginning April 8, Mega Millions rules will change to automatically include the Megaplier option, allowing all non-jackpot prizes to potentially be multiplied by up to 10 times. Under those rules, the Middlesex County player would have also benefited from the prize multiplier.
Because the jackpot was hit, the Mega Millions jackpot resets to $20 million for Friday’s drawing. Additionally, New Jersey Lottery is launching its “Jackpot Was Hit” promotion, offering one free Mega Millions play with the purchase of three plays on a separate ticket through April 1.
Key Points
- Illinois ticket wins $344 million Mega Millions jackpot on March 26
- NJ players in Salem and Camden win $20K each with Megaplier; Middlesex player wins $10K
- New Megaplier rules take effect April 8, applying multiplier to all tickets
