An anonymous Illinois player who ‘almost didn’t buy’ her ticket online won a $536 million Mega Millions jackpot - the second-biggest online lottery prize in US history.
An online ticket worth half a billion dollars
On March 10, 2026, a single Mega Millions ticket matched all six numbers - 16, 21, 30, 35 and 65, plus the gold Mega Ball 7 - to win a jackpot worth $536 million. What set the win apart was where the ticket was bought: online, through the Illinois Lottery's iLottery platform, rather than over a shop counter.
The winner came forward later in March and chose the cash option, a one-time lump sum of $245.6 million before taxes.
‘Lucky Lady’ and the ticket she almost missed
The winner has chosen to stay anonymous, going by the nickname ‘Lucky Lady.’ In comments released by the Illinois Lottery, she said the purchase nearly didn't happen at all.
“I didn't even plan to play that day - I had actually tried to buy a ticket online a week earlier but forgot to finalize the purchase,” she said.
A record for online play
The Illinois Lottery said it was the first Mega Millions jackpot claimed anywhere in 2026, and the second-largest prize ever won by an online lottery player in the United States.
The largest online lottery prize on record - $552 million - was also won by an Illinois iLottery player, in June 2024.
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This article is reported from published reports and official lottery announcements. Details were accurate as reported; prize amounts and winner details can change as claims are processed - verify with the official operator. Amounts are shown in each game's own currency. TopLotteryOnline is not affiliated with any lottery operator. 18+. Play responsibly.
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