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Subscribe to RSSNobody won the California Lottery's MEGA Millions jackpot on Friday, so Tuesday's jackpot grows to $241 million.
Three MEGA Millions tickets sold in California matched five out of six numbers in Friday night’s draw and are worth $326,163 each.
The tickets were sold in Santa Ysabel, Nipomo and Los Angeles.
Read the original report on the MEGA Millions prize at NBCLosAngeles.com
In 2005, the first year California joined MEGA Millions, one ticket hit and a lucky Golden State resident won more than $300 million.
The tickets matched the numbers 43, 51, 53, 29, and 28, missing only the Mega number of 7.
Winners have 180 days from the date of the draw to claim prizes.
MEGA Millions is a multistate game, played in California and 43 other jurisdictions (41 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
More from NBCLosAngeles.com
Players pick five numbers from 1 to 56 plus a Mega number from 1 to 46. Draw times are Tuesdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m. PST.
Tickets are $1 and can be purchased from any of the more than 21,000 California Lottery retailers. Please visit the California Lottery’s MEGA Millions site for more information.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
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Yep, a Cali person needs to win in order to pay their State real estate taxes.
I will play it when it gets on up there a bit.
If I win I'll buy dinner. Arby's ok?
If I win I am going to buy another lottery ticket.
Just imagine all the new family members you would meet for the first time.
Why is this even being reported? There are lotteries all over the states. How does a single jackpot in another state affect anyone else in other states?
Robert, this lottery is played in 41 states and 2 US territories DC and the Virgin islands. So it DOES affect people in other states.
Ron, actually the odds are better when the prize amount is low, because fewer tickets are being sold, which increases the odds. But IMO these games are rigged even more so now that EVERYTHING is computerized. How is it that the odds can be 1 in 16,000,000 for hitting the jackpot, but 30,000,000 tickets are sold for each drawing, and no one wins it. Its because the computers are printing duplicate (non winning) tickets 1,000s of times across 41 states. Thats not to say that you dont stand a chance, its just that your odds are VERY slim.
Odds are 1 in 175 million, not 16 million,
Anywho - The odds of winning do not change at all based on how many tickets are being sold or what the current prize value is. Your odds of picking those six winning numbers are exactly the same, whether or not your neighbor also purchases a ticket. I think what you are trying to say is that with a lower jackpot, the less people play, so there's less of a chance that multiple people will win, in which case you would have to share the jackpot. That is true, but doesn't affect YOUR odds of winning at all.
Also, the odds of winning the jackpot is 1 in 175 million. I WISH it were 1 in 16 million.....
I'd take lump sum because I might not live long enough for payments. I would send my kid enough to pay all those bills she has. Buy a small house so I can have a dog Get a truck used and buy an 883 iron from HD. Bank the rest with my kid as beneficiary and she can have whats left when I die.
and take out all the red light cameras
Taxpayers, don't spend a single dollar on these chump contests. If you want money, do whatever honest work you can get. You would need over 1,000 stadiums filled with suckers to find one winner.
My friend who won a million back when that was the big money remodeled his house bought new furniture and had to screen his old friends to see if they still liked him and not the money.
$241 million? I'm not even sure what I'd do with that much money. What would everyone else do?
Geee probibly live high on the hog, gamble and carouse with loose women.....The rest I'd spend foolishly
Anything I wanted.
I'd take care of my family & longtime friends.
Then I'd see what I could do to make this world a better place...
...and retire (almost forgot)....
You only walk away with about a third if you take a lump sum payout and after taxes.
Once upon a time I made a list of people and organizations that would get good chuck of change if I ever one. Certainly the amount would depending on the size of the jackpot. It was made for fun, but I still keep it just in case.
I have immediate family members, my high school's music program (no blank check, but if they can sell me on what they need, I would foot the bill), my alma mater, and a few research organizations.
However, nowhere on my list is any church or faith-based organization. Seems like anytime anyone comes into money, these groups are the first to line up and try to get a piece. Nothing would make me happier than to tell each and every one of them that comes asking to take a hike (and I wouldn't be polite about it). It always makes me sick whenever someone wins a large jackpot and they give it all to their church.
I would distribute at least 2/3 to charities, pay off my mortgage and put the rest in a trust fund. Keep my job as usual and hopefully nobody would find out.
The $241 million is the annuity jackpot. The cash option payout is $175 million which would leave you with about $115 million in cash after Federal and state taxes are taken off of the top. Most people do not go broke after winning these things, it's just the ones that make the news about it which is the few.
There is nothing wrong or stupid about buying a couple of bucks worth of lottery tickets, why not? Also, who cares about the odds of winning. The fact is that people win these things all of the time, and many more win lesser jackpots of $1 or $2 million. The next winner could be you, and it is fun to talk about it. You will not win this kind of money in a casino, but you can certainly lose more than a couple bucks in one.
Peter Gibbons: What would you do if you had a million dollars?
Lawrence: I'll tell you what I'd do, man: two chicks at the same time, man.
Peter Gibbons: That's it? If you had a million dollars, you'd do two chicks at the same time?
Lawrence: Damn straight. I always wanted to do that, man. And I think if I were a millionaire I could hook that up, too; 'cause chicks dig dudes with money.
Peter Gibbons: Well, not all chicks.
Lawrence: Well, the type of chicks that'd double up on a dude like me do.
~ Office Space (1999) ~
Makes it not even worth the time to collect it.
.
Get my "Check Engine Light" fixed.
Tell the rest of the world to kiss my fuzzy pink @ss, and disappear. Well, it's not actually fuzzy, but still. Just sayin'.
i would buy a new booty , mine is cracked
Mega Millions is a national game, not just California's. I'm not sure why they stated it this way in the beginning of the article.
It's because it was written by nbclosangeles.com (See the by line). MSNBC picked it up, but didn't change it so it would read as a national article.
I'm winning this, see you in Belize suckers!
If I actually ever won a jackpot like that, I'd probably die of a heart attack from the sheer shock of it!
But, if I survived the shock, no one in my family would ever again have to worry about how to pay the electric bill this month, or how to afford to buy groceries for their family. They, (and myself), would not need to choose between taking a beloved fur child to the veterinarian for routine veterinary care, or buying that new tire for their car because the old one was bald and the car would not pass inspection without it. They would not have to choose between that prescription medication they needed to help reduce the pressure in their eyes, (glaucoma), or the one that they needed to help lower their blood pressure.
Life would be much, much easier for all of us.
Biggest prize I ever won just about bought dinner for four when we went on a bucket list motorcycle ride with a friend who was being deployed to Afghanistan. And I would see if laser surgery would fix my sight problems these glasses suck.
I would give to God first,set my kids up for life an what little family I have. Build a state of the art women an children shelter. a shelter that is more like an appartment an have lots of organization there to help get families back on there feet. Oh yea one more thang, build a gigantic amusement park that families can go to without spending an arm an a leg,everyone can afford to come.
god doesn't need your money
Dri - You are clueless. You'd get maybe a little over 100M after taxes from a lump sum payout. All these things you want to do/buy/build would cost more than that. You're one of those people who would be broke in no time again.
travaler you are a silly boy you give to God by caring for His people. The ones society thinks are worthless.
Jac
241million would come out to around 86million(California tax) in one lump sum. You give 40% off the top for getting it all at one time, and then 39.2-39.7 to taxes. Basically you will get 60% of the 241m then another 60%(144.6m) of that.
I would give back to my country fix some broke stuff! Search Youtube for Ouzzy88 watch Decision 2012, thats what I would do!
@Zen609
I am just catching up on all the commentary surrounding the teachers instructions to recite the Hughes poem "blacker'. I sincerely want to thank you for providing the links to Hughes recorded recitals of his own work. I stayed on the subject of Hughes on YouTube for an extended period and truly believe that I learned some meaningful American history. I had never heard of Hughes before this article.
I don't believe the teacher intended anything derogatory in her instructions to the student, but the teacher certainly didn't know the subject she was teaching. If I wanted to talk blacker, I'd throw in the word 'chill' several times, say 'axe' instead of 'ask', and pronounce Aunt by saying 'aah-nt' instead of 'ant'. I wonder what the teacher would have done if the student had broken out in a Rap version of The Ballad Of The Landlord.
Ol_Arkie...I don't think Zen609 will see your reply..you posted in wrong article.
Mega Millions is not California based it is a multi-state lottery. http://megamillions.com/about/history.asp
Geez - what passes for journalism these days.
The reason the child thought he did is the child wasn't taught about Hughes and a few other southern regional authors who wrote in the regional dialect of the south. Our literature classes are really sliding.
First, you're in the wrong place...sorry.
Secondly, she said "c'mon...blacker, I thought you were black".
BIG PROBLEM.
yes/no.
If I were to win, I'd take the lump sum put the first 100 mill away and go crazy with 15 mill. My parents would be set and so would my fiance's. My friends probaly wouldn't get a whole lot because after high school you lose touch with most of them (I have). Some of it would go to a charity that doesn't pay their CEO a ton. Salvation army would get a nice check and I would pick a community that has been ravished by one of the many tornadoes we have to also give to. My fiance would have the wedding of her dreams and a rock that would break her arm. Nice house, nice car, and a lifetime of doing whatever I wanted...................................... well I'll keep dreaming and playing sometimes and if I hit it come vist me in the hospital because the shock would be to much.
If I won,I'd take the half up front,payout the taxes on it,move overseas,denounce my American citizenship(So the greedy IRS/state will never get another penny of it!)Pick a nice,friendly "tax friendly" country to reside in,then go APESH*T!
Hey, Mellow...I am afraid you would find that any place worth living outside the USA would extract far more taxes than here. I know this as a fact. Anyplace that does not impose taxes is really not a place you would want to live. But I certainly understand your feelings. Best is to just pay the one time tax bite, and you would have a huge amount remaining; more than you would ever need. If you find having so much disposable cash is cumbersome, I will fwd my account number. Just think, we could then afford to buy tickets to the Dodgers, Angels, Lakers; buy premium gasoline, shop at World Market, etc Good Luck.
After you denounce your US citizenship you are still liable for taxes on income from US sources for 7 years. If you take the $170,000,000.00 lump sum payout you would owe the IRS $59,500,000.00 in Federal income taxes. They will take the taxes out before you ever see a penny of the money, but you may still owe more taxes at the end of the year. If you take the 25 year (26 pmts) anuity you would get $9,278,500.00 per year and they will deduct about $3,247,475.00 in Federal taxes each year, and you end up with $6,031,025.00 each year for 25 years.
Can't wait until my welfare check arrives. Usually spend about $50 as any more and I can't live off it, even with my food stamps and local church helping out. We need to grant more allowances for those of us that are at poverty level. Only 44 million getting food stamps now, we all need government to do more.
I tell my husband what I would like to do with that much money if I win. Then he bursts my bubble and reminds me that I would have to buy a ticket. I've never bought a Mega Lottery ticket.....good time to start.
It would be so nice to help out my family and some neighbors that I know could use some money. Then I could donate a bunch to help out our local no-kill animal shelters.
I would buy an election! Put a common man in the white house and kick all those wealthy, seemingly educated but bought politicians out of the country. I would reform the judicial system to be fare and just. Lawyers be damned! I would reform the tax system, so there would be a flat tax across the board. And last, I would go after every CEO that has raped companies of billions of dollars and have them distribute their wealth to everyone in the company. Then they could only make a modest salary that can afford them a modest house in a middle income community! In essence, abolish the rich, so everyone can have a little of what life has to offer. By then, I should be broke again!
You can go after GE Capital for me they put me out of a job after 25 years and screwed me out of 5 weeks severance pay.
The first thing I would do is guit work. I would love to have a big A-frame home built in the mountains of Colorado. I would also love a home somewhere in the tropics, with lots and lots of palm trees.
Next I would help my family and friends live whatever dream they may have. Even though with all that money it couldn't bring back my best friend, my momma. I love you mom and miss you so.I would also help all the little animals that have been mistreated. To all who play the lottery, good luck, and I hope the lucky winner deserves it.
I will first take the money in annual installments. That way, if you blow the first year or two at least you know for sure that you will have money the next 27ish years. Also, I would help those that were really needy and not just wanting to buy cigarettes, alcohol or drugs! I would buy food, shoes, coats, school supplies etc. for those kids that their parents can't afford to do it themselves! I would buy a nice piece of land (say about 5 - 10 acres of land and build a very nice 5,000ish sq ft house! I would do some traveling to places that I may not be able to visit in this lifetime, France, Italy, Japan, Greece etc. I would help out some organizations that would really help the needy. I am not sure what I would do with the rest of it but I am sure that it would not be wasted on stupid stuff. Oh, I might also run for president! :D Here is to hoping I win!!!
Good Luck Everyone!!!!! :)
i will win the lottery, god said so.
He told me he changed his mind because you called him god.
Can you imagine??? You could help everyone you know, give out scholarship money, etc......... AND still have more money than you would know what to with!!! I would take my children and grandchildren on a dream vacation, and then build an animal rescue center. WOW! (I got this one, OK? Thanks)
I don't have to build the animal rescue center just give big bucks to the one that took my dog when I had to give him up (no kill). Thank you to the vet that got him in even though the shelter was overcrowded my life was on the skids and I couldn't take care of both of us.
Thats sad. If I win I am going to send you enough for a house and a dog. Maybe even your own dog if it is not too late. Someone abandoned a puppy on my porch, and I have another left by her owner for me to watch. Its been a couple of years now:) I don't care what anyone says, losing a cherished pet is heartbreaking.
How many pennies would you get for the pay off? I`d make one big pile and go sledding down it ever day!
I would buy our President a new "Capit-O-listic" state of mind and buy our Congress some Ethics, Morals and Common Sense. Then I would be broke.
How about voting in an election? The last person that thought he could "buy/sell seats" in politics just went to jail
I guess you didnt see the point and I thought I was the Blind one !!! .
I have $1,700 stashed away in a picture frame, that means 1,700 tickets for me!
I don't understand why this "prize" isn't disseminated amongst more winners? In other words, 10 tickets with $24 million each, or some variation thereof, versus a single-ticket for the whole pig.
It would appear to me that such a policy would bring more players, otherwise, more opportunity for that money to find it's way back into the economy.
What? People wouldn't play if the largest prize was only $24 million, even though there's 10 chances to get it?
It can be that way if 10 people pick the winning Numbers.
They only give away about half of what is taken in, they do not need more players.
hire a driver to drive me around so these california police could never harass me again and charge me 3 times the national rate because the state is broke from all the handouts to illegals.