Post date: Mar 31, 2012 5:19:1 PM
Three winning tickets for the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history have been identified by U.S. state officials, including one sold in Maryland. Deborah Lutterbeck reports
The largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history of $640 million has at least three winners, including tickets bought in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland.
Officials are now waiting for the winners to come forward
Stephen Martino is the Maryland Lottery director.
STEPHEN MARTINO, MARYLAND LOTTERY DIRECTOR, SAYING:
"I'm here today, or this morning, to confirm that one of the Mega Millions jackpot tickets was sold at this 7-Eleven, for the drawing that occurred last night. We do know that it was sold at 7:15 last night. It was a Quick Pick, and there was only one ticket purchased by the player at that time. We obviously don't have any idea right now who the player is, when they will come forward."
The winners will split the jackpot. They can receive either a one-time payment or take it in 26 annual installment payments.
No matter who wins, one certain winner is the Internal Revenue Service. The tax-collecting agency subjects lottery winnings of more than $5,000 to a 25-percent federal withholding tax.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters