The winning Mega Millions lottery ticket that earned a more than $1.5 billion prize from Tuesday night's drawing was sold in South Carolina. However, Missouri's public education systems, players and businesses also benefited from the millions of dollars in ticket sales that led to the big win.
"We sold an amazing $35.9 million in Mega Millions tickets during this run, which means that approximately $13.5 million from sales of this game alone will go to public education programs in Missouri," Missouri Lottery's Executive Director May Scheve Reardon said in a news release.
The Mega Millions jackpot grew from $40 million in July into the billion dollar range this week after 26 draws, according to the news release.
The Missouri Constitution designates that net lottery proceeds after prize payments and administrative expenses be transferred to a state treasury fund that solely supports public elementary, secondary and higher education.
A financial summary for Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education from this week's State Board of Education meeting shows the state education department was appropriated more than $198.6 million in lottery proceeds between July 1-Oct. 9, 2018.
"About 4 percent of our foundation formula comes from the lottery fund," DESE Assistant Director of Communications Tyler Madsen said.
DESE's financial summary shows more than $65.4 million of the $198.6 million in lottery proceeds were appropriated so far in fiscal year 2019 for the state's foundation formula for public K-12 aid.
Transportation funding for K-12 schools was appropriated approximately $69.3 million from lottery proceeds; $16.5 million for special education; $19.5 million for a high need education fund; and $16.7 million for a classroom trust fund - though Madsen added the classroom trust also receives proceeds from other gaming activities in the state.
Missouri businesses earned more than $2.1 million from selling Mega Millions tickets during the run-up to the big draw Tuesday, according to Missouri Lottery.
Missouri lottery players also cumulatively won more than $18.6 million in prizes throughout the 26 draw Mega Millions run.
There's a $1 million winning ticket from Tuesday's drawing that was purchased in Missouri at the Fast 4 U at the intersection of Route D and Missouri 96 in Oronogo.
Five more winning tickets sold in Missouri at the following locations are worth $10,000 each:
- Abel's Quik Shop, 645 W. North Service Road, Wright City
- Brad's Kwik Store, 603 N. Sturgeon, Montgomery City
- Fast Service, 1001 W. Truman Road, Independence
- FastLane, 7430 Route N, O'Fallon
- M&J's, 4901 SE Route PP, Holt
The winning numbers from Tuesday's drawing were 5, 28, 62, 65, 70 and the Mega Ball number was 5.
Players have exactly 180 days from the drawing - until April 21, 2019 - to claim their prizes, according to Missouri Lottery.