Indiana family claims $536 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot

Jul 29, 2016, 12:28 pm (65 comments)

Mega Millions

Hoosier Lottery helps family remain anonymous

First time they ever played Mega Millions

Includes video report

By Todd Northrop

At a press conference Friday it was announced that a family of lifetime Hoosiers anonymously claimed the largest jackpot ever awarded to a single Mega Millions lottery ticket.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted the press conference Friday morning.

The winners were announced to be a family from Hamilton County, Indiana. Those hoping to meet the winners would have been disappointed, as the prize was claimed under a limited liability company (LLC) the family created in order to stay anonymous.

Although the public did not learn the identities of the winning family, we did discover the final tally of the July 8 Mega Millions jackpot: $536 million.

The family, represented by an Indiana marketing company at the press conference, claimed the mammoth prize as a lump-sum cash payout, which totalled $378 million — reduced to $271 million after the initial federal and state taxes were withheld.

Because the initial federal tax withholdings are 25%, it is likely the family will owe some additional taxes at the end of the year.

The July 8 drawing was the first time the winning family ever played Mega Millions.  Previously they had played Powerball a few times.

On their way out of town with their two school-age kids for a sporting event, the family stopped at a Speedway gas station along Interstate 70. Seeing the big Mega Millions jackpot, they decided to buy five quick pick tickets.

But it was not until days later when they returned home that they remembered to check the tickets, which were mixed up with some random receipts and wrappers accumulated in their travels.

When the family looked online at the winning numbers and saw they matched up on their ticket, they were in disbelief.  So much that they closed and re-opened their web browser:  the numbers still matched. 

Incredulous, they then rebooted the computer and re-opened the website:  the numbers still matched.

Not knowing what else to do, the family went to the Hoosier Lottery headquarters and met with lottery officials, who confirmed the winning ticket and offered some advice around planning their prize claim.

Lauren Littlefield, Director of Client Services for Willow Marketing, was chosen by the family to represent them in public.  Littlefield was present at the Friday morning press conference, answering a few questions, and providing some insight into the family.

When first describing the family, Littlefield started to become emotional, which she later said was because she had become close with the family and they were lovely people with "Hoosier values".  She continued that she was genuinely excited for the family, whom were all born and raised in Indiana, and plan to stay in the state for life.

Littlefield said the winners have no immediate plans for the money, other than ensuring the well being of their children.  They don't have any plans to quit their jobs, and want to do everything possible to stay close to the people in their lives who know and care for them.

The full raw press conference video can be found below.

The July 8 Mega Millions jackpot, which was initially estimated at $540 million, was adjusted to $536 million after all proceeds were counted. The prize was the result of a record 34 consecutive Mega Millions drawings without a winner.

Currently, the July 8 Mega Millions jackpot stands as the 7th-largest jackpot in US lottery history, and the third-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever.

The winning numbers drawn that evening were 8, 19, 20, 55, and 73, with Mega Ball number 5.  The Megaplier was 2.

The odds to win the Mega Millions jackpot were 1 in 258.9 million.

Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 44 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. Tickets cost $1 each.

The Mega Millions winning numbers are published at USA Mega (www.usamega.com) minutes after the drawing takes place.

VIDEO: Watch the press conference

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

dr65's avatardr65

Wow! Party

greenemill

Good for them to seek help without nobody knowing who won except your family and close friends.

LiveInGreenBay's avatarLiveInGreenBay

"They don't have any plans to quit their jobs"?  LOL!  Yea sure.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by dr65 on Jul 29, 2016

Wow! Party

I Agree! Are we seeing more winners claiming on Fridays? 

 Indiana is showing how easy being an Anonymous State is.

Dance

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by LiveInGreenBay on Jul 29, 2016

"They don't have any plans to quit their jobs"?  LOL!  Yea sure.

I Agree!..along with the " first time " we ever played statement. Not say it's impossible,  but come on. Like l said in another post of mine awhile back- " oh, we only played 3 lines and won $200 mil" while hiding the other 30 tickets from sight.  Nevertheless congrats. 

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by LiveInGreenBay on Jul 29, 2016

"They don't have any plans to quit their jobs"?  LOL!  Yea sure.

Who knows the reason maybe they have Pension benefits coming sooner than later would you wanna loose that?

My Neighbors Husband draws 3 Different Pensions From 2 Jobs and the 1 from being in the Marine Corp that's a Good Chunk of Change. Also he still works. Not sure how old he is maybe 70's.

Why don't these OlE people stop working so much and enjoy What LIFE they have left. It's not like they need the money. Greed i guess..Yes Nod

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Congratulations to you Winners Who ever you are i hope you see these messages and See all the People here that are happy for you and Congratulating you. Spend Wisely ...Hurray!

DELotteryPlyr's avatarDELotteryPlyr

Quote: Originally posted by helpmewin on Jul 29, 2016

Who knows the reason maybe they have Pension benefits coming sooner than later would you wanna loose that?

My Neighbors Husband draws 3 Different Pensions From 2 Jobs and the 1 from being in the Marine Corp that's a Good Chunk of Change. Also he still works. Not sure how old he is maybe 70's.

Why don't these OlE people stop working so much and enjoy What LIFE they have left. It's not like they need the money. Greed i guess..Yes Nod

There have been alot of discussions/fights here at LP about that issue- retire vs keep working when you have enough money.

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Jul 29, 2016

I Agree! Are we seeing more winners claiming on Fridays? 

 Indiana is showing how easy being an Anonymous State is.

Dance

I Agree! I may call Mrs, Littlefield if i ever WIN BIG!Dance

I Sure don't know why they wouldn't have taken the Annuity payments then if they are not going to do anything with the money right away anyways. $500 Million down to $200 Million BIG Difference.Bang Head

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by DELotteryPlyr on Jul 29, 2016

There have been alot of discussions/fights here at LP about that issue- retire vs keep working when you have enough money.

Do you have the results?

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

You can claim as a trust or LLC in Pennsylvania, but they still reveal your name.

The best way in Pennsylvania is to just claim and they hide everything in a trust or LLC!

morgothaod's avatarmorgothaod

"First time they ever played Mega Millions" Dead

WinWinChicDin

Quote: Originally posted by dpoly1 on Jul 29, 2016

You can claim as a trust or LLC in Pennsylvania, but they still reveal your name.

The best way in Pennsylvania is to just claim and they hide everything in a trust or LLC!

Or......just take a short trip across the river and no one will ever come close to knowing it was you who won. That is what I do, every 5 weeks I take a little time out of my day for what I want most- anonymity after a win

 

Congrats to what sounds like a young family....

TheMeatman2005's avatarTheMeatman2005

Quote: Originally posted by morgothaod on Jul 29, 2016

"First time they ever played Mega Millions" Dead

Excellent example of "beginner's luck"

I guess you can say....when it's your time, it's your time!

Congrats to the extremely lucky couple and their family!

Subscribe to this news story