Somewhere in Ohio, one lottery player is holding a very expensive piece of paper. A single ticket bought in the state matched all six numbers in Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing, snagging the game's advertised $60 million jackpot. The winning white balls were 4, 11, 18, 38 and 50, with Mega Ball 24. The winner can choose between a 30-year annuity or an estimated one-time cash lump sum of about $27.1 million before taxes. The odds of hitting all six numbers under the current game matrix are roughly one in 290.5 million.
The first word of the big win came from The Cincinnati Enquirer, which reports that the Ohio ticket matched Tuesday night's drawing and that the jackpot has reset for the next drawing on Friday, March 20, with an estimated $50 million up for grabs. That report notes that ticket sales cut-off times vary by state and retailer, typically one to two hours before the draw, so anyone who bought in should double-check local deadlines. According to the Enquirer, its local confirmation was the first public report of the winning ticket.
The outcome lines up with the state's published draw records. The Ohio Lottery's official numbers file confirms the March 17 combination and lists both the advertised jackpot and the estimated cash option. The Ohio Lottery serves as the authoritative source for validation and payout figures, and retailers that sell a jackpot-winning ticket are typically eligible for a small retailer bonus once the claim is validated. The winner will have to complete the lottery's validation process before any payout is issued.
How the Prize Is Paid
The jackpot winner can opt for the advertised annuity, which is paid as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual increases, or choose the lump-sum cash option, which reflects the cash value of the prize pool and is lower than the total annuity amount. The game currently costs $5 per play and includes a built-in multiplier for non-jackpot prizes. The official Mega Millions information page lists the jackpot odds at about 1 in 290,472,336 and explains how those multipliers can boost smaller prizes. For the full prize table and the current rules, players are directed to that page.
What Winners Should Do Next
Anyone who thinks they might be holding the winning ticket is advised to sign the back immediately, keep it somewhere secure and contact the Ohio Lottery to begin the validation and claims process. State rules give Ohio winners 180 days from the drawing to claim prizes, as reported by Dayton Daily News, and lottery officials recommend talking with a lawyer or financial adviser before deciding between the annuity and lump-sum options. Federal and state taxes will apply, and claiming procedures vary by prize amount.
With the jackpot now reset, Friday's drawing will put an estimated $50 million on the line. Players can check the Ohio Lottery's results page and local retailers for ticket cut-off times if they picked up a play. For more local coverage of this Ohio win, see The Cincinnati Enquirer, and rely on the Ohio Lottery's published draw records for official verification. Play responsibly.
