Automatic multiplier under new game format quadruples third-tier prize
Mega Millions just got bigger in April and we have our first big winner since the game expanded. The May 6 drawing produced a $40,000-winning ticket purchased in Hanover.
Exxon at the Mills at 7671 Arundel Mills Boulevard in Anne Arundel County sold the third-tier winning ticket.
The winning numbers for the May 6 drawing are: 16, 17, 43, 46 and 58; the Mega Ball was 16. Our winner matched four out of five numbers plus the Mega Ball.
Under the old game play, that would have resulted in a $10,000 prize, but the new format gives each player an automatic multiplier, which was at X4. That quadrupled the win to $40,000.
This is our first third-tier winner since the game expanded to $5. The multiplier can range from 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X and 10X.
Since no one matched all five numbers and the Mega Ball, the Mega Millions jackpot is set at an estimated annuity value of $100 million and an estimated cash option of $45.3 million for Friday’s drawing.
Lottery officials encourage all winners to sign the backs of their tickets immediately and put them in a safe location. They get 182 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prizes.
Instructions for claiming prizes are available on the How to Claim page of the Lottery website. Prizes of more than $25,000 must be claimed through Lottery headquarters, either in person or by mail. Lottery headquarters is in the Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 330, in Baltimore. An appointment is required to claim in person (no walk-ins). The appointment scheduling page shows all available appointment times.
