A Mega Millions player in northern Los Angeles County narrowly missed winning a $129 million jackpot on Tuesday but still took home a $568,680 prize. The winning ticket was purchased at Eastside Checks Cashed in Antelope Valley.
Normally, matching five numbers in Mega Millions wins $1 million, but California’s payout rules differ. Prizes depend on ticket sales and the number of winners. The player will owe 24% federal tax but no state lottery tax, as California does not tax lottery winnings. This contrasts with states like New York, where winners pay a 10.9% state tax.
No one matched all six numbers to win the $129 million jackpot, which has now rolled over to $150 million for Friday’s draw. The cash option is estimated at $71.5 million.
Tickets cost $2, and the odds of winning any prize are about 1 in 24. However, the chance of hitting the jackpot is roughly 1 in 302 million.
Starting April 2025, Mega Millions will raise ticket prices from $2 to $5 and make several changes. The smallest prize for matching the Mega Ball will increase from $2 to $10. Additionally, one of the “golden Mega Balls” will be removed, speeding up jackpot growth.
These changes have sparked mixed reactions. Cortney Jackson told CBS affiliate WNEM-TV she plans to stop playing due to the higher cost. Meanwhile, store owner Raed Alsahuri said he might try the game again if the timing is right.
Officials remind Mega Millions players to check their tickets carefully, especially after this recent $568,000 winning slip was sold in California.
