Texas Resident Nearly Hits $20M Jackpot In Mega Millions

One lucky (or unlucky?) soul from Old River-Winfree, Texas, came THIS close to becoming a multi-millionaire. Old River-Winfree is about 40 miles from Houston, exists in two Texas counties, and as of the 2020 census, has a population of 1300 people.

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The Almost Moment

Our player matched five numbers in the Mega Millions drawing on June 7. But alas, the Mega Ball was not their friend. The ticket sold at a gas station fell just short of the $20 million jackpot, earning a consolation prize of $1 million. Close, but no Mega Ball cigar.

The Numbers

Let’s break it down: The winning numbers were 3, 5, 12, 22, 66, and the elusive Mega Ball was 7. Our almost-winner had everything but that pesky 7. Imagine the scene—confetti, champagne, dreams of yachts and trips to Bora Bora—all evaporating into a “Well, at least it’s a million!”

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For the mathematically inclined, the odds of hitting the Mega Millions jackpot are a staggering 1 in 302,575,350. To put it in perspective, you're more likely to become a movie star or get struck by lightning while finding a four-leaf clover. So, a $1 million win isn't too shabby.

Other Lucky Unlucky People

But the drama doesn’t stop there. Over 58,000 other Texans also scored prizes ranging from $2 (hello, instant ramen) to $40,000 (a decent down payment on that yacht). Even a lucky Californian joined the five-number club.

Next up, the jackpot climbs to a whopping $30 million, with a cash option of $13.9 million. So, keep dreaming, keep playing, and maybe next time, the Mega Ball will be in your favor.