One number away from Mega Millions jackpot veteran still celebrates big surprise

Automatic multiplier turned a routine win into a much bigger score

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — One number stood between a Prince George’s County retiree and a Mega Millions jackpot worth hundreds of millions of dollars, but an automatic multiplier still transformed his winning ticket into a $30,000 payday.

The retired military veteran matched four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball in the July 14 Mega Millions drawing to claim a third-tier prize. At first, he believed he had won the standard $10,000 prize, only to discover his ticket included the game’s automatic X3 multiplier, boosting his total winnings to $30,000.

“I have been playing for years. I never thought I would win this much money,” the veteran told Maryland Lottery officials.

The winning numbers for the July 14 drawing were 2, 4, 10, 48 and 56, with Mega Ball 22. The Prince George’s County resident came within one number of the jackpot after his ticket included 55 instead of the winning 2.

“I missed the whole jackpot by one number,” he said.

The western Prince George’s County resident said he has remained a loyal Mega Millions player for years but doesn’t rely on lucky numbers or personal picks. Instead, he always lets the lottery terminal generate a Quick Pick ticket.

“I let the machine pick the numbers,” he said.

The winner said he plans to use his $30,000 prize to pay off bills. During retirement, he spends much of his time fishing and exercising.

The winning ticket was purchased at the Seat Pleasant BP gas station, located at 5818 Martin Luther King Jr. Highway in Prince George’s County.

While the Maryland player collected his $30,000 prize, the Mega Millions jackpot has since been won elsewhere. A winning ticket for an $800 million jackpot was sold in Florida during Tuesday’s drawing.

Meanwhile, Powerball continues to build. Saturday night’s drawing offers an estimated jackpot of $707 million, with a cash option estimated at $309.7 million.

Key Points

A Prince George’s County veteran won $30,000 playing Mega Millions after an automatic X3 multiplier tripled his prize.
He missed the jackpot by one number after matching four white balls and the Mega Ball in the July 14 drawing.
The winning ticket was sold at the Seat Pleasant BP on Martin Luther King Jr. Highway in Prince George’s County.