October 17, 2018 - Salem, Ore. – Friday’s estimated Mega Millions jackpot is at an all-time Mega Millions high of $900 million! This jackpot is also the second largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history, trailing only the $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot from 2016. That jackpot was shared by three lucky players from California, Florida and Tennessee.

Across all Mega Millions lotteries, there were over 4.5 million winning tickets in the Oct. 16 drawing.

Oregon Mega Millions Winners

For the Oct. 16 drawing, in Oregon, there were over 37,000 winning Mega Millions tickets ranging from $10,000 to $2!

Oregon has also had several larger Mega Millions winners in the last few years. The largest winner recently was Joemel Panisa, who purchased a ticket in January 2016 then found it during a snow day, mere days before the $1 million ticket was to expire in Jan. 2017.

More recently, in Wayne Harder of Lebanon won $30,00 playing Mega Millions in August. Harder said he plays all three draw games, Powerball, Oregon’s Game Megabucks and Mega Millions. He used his prize to fund a family reunion trip to the Oregon Coast.

The Oregon Lottery began offering Mega Millions in March 2010. While Oregon is still waiting for its first Mega Millions jackpot winner, since 2010 there have been over $83 million in Mega Millions prizes in Oregon! And since 2010, Mega Millions has had over $164 million in sales.

Just like the Lottery's other big jackpot games, Powerball and Oregon’s Game Megabucks, the winner of the Mega Millions jackpot can choose to take the prize either in a 30-year annuity or a one-time lump sum.

After taxes, the 30-year graduated annuity will average $20.4 million each year. The one-time cash option, after taxes, is over $349 million.

The next Mega Millions drawing is Friday, Oct. 19.

Lottery officials recommend that you always sign the back of your tickets with each Oregon Lottery game you play, to ensure you can claim any prize you may win. The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Prize winners of more than $50,000 should contact the Lottery office to schedule an appointment to claim their prize.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $11 billion for economic development, public education, state parks and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org

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