Mega Millions jackpot: US lottery player wins $1.58bn, third largest in US history

The ticket that secured the victory was purchased at a supermarket located in Neptune Beach, a town in northern Florida close to Jacksonville.

This fortunate outcome comes after a series of 31 successive drawings, since the previous winning Mega Millions ticket was claimed in New York on April 18th.

The chances of hitting the jackpot are approximated at 1 in 300 million. The selected numbers were 13, 19, 20, 32, 33, along with the special "mega ball" number 14.

The person who secured the victory has not yet been unveiled. According to Florida regulations, individuals who earn $250,000 or more as winnings are shielded from public exposure for a period of 90 days starting from the date they claim the prize.

However, the Florida Lottery is obligated to disclose their name, city of domicile, and the amount won to any external party that formally requests this information.

Winners who choose the annuity option can access the full payout of $1.58 billion, which will be distributed over a span of 30 years.

Those who prefer a single lump-sum payment will be granted around $783 million, with the funds being liable to federal taxes, along with state taxes applicable in numerous regions across the US.

This prize stands as one of the most substantial in the history of the United States.

In November, a man from the local area of Altadena, located near Los Angeles, won an unprecedented jackpot of $2.04 billion through a Powerball ticket.

In January 2016, a prize of $1.586 billion was divided among three individuals who emerged as winners in California, Florida, and Tennessee.

Mega Millions tickets, priced at $2 each, can be purchased in 45 U.S. states, Washington DC, and the US Virgin Islands.