The Mega Millions Jackpot has been creating new millionaires, with Johnnie Taylor (aged 71) from New York, United States, being the latest lucky player. Taylor claimed the record-breaking $476 million Mega Millions jackpot played on April 14, 2023. This win is the biggest Mega Millions prize in The Empire State since the game's introduction in 2002.
In the lucky draw, the winning Mega Millions lottery results were 23, 27, 41, 48, and 51, with the Mega Ball being 22. As expected, Taylor chose a lump sum payment and would receive the lottery sum of the annualized prize. This means the player will receive $157,288,402 after state and federal taxes.
The lottery outcome shocked Taylor, who noted: "It still doesn't feel real!" He stated his wife didn't believe the good news until she confirmed by researching online that the ticket and winning numbers were matching.
After retiring as a building handyman in Manhattan, the player has already decided on what to do with his prize fund. Being an older adult, Taylor hopes to start touring new and exciting places. He also hopes to upgrade his 2012 Prius to a hybrid car and purchase a new home. Additionally, Taylor will donate some of this cash to his church.
Taylor has a habit of purchasing his lottery tickets from Liberty Beer and Convenience, located close to his subway station. Every time the prize money for Mega Millions and Powerball reaches $100 million, he buys quick-pick tickets and adds the multiplier. The New York Lottery will reward the convenience store with $10,000.
Brian O'Dwyer, New York State Gaming Commission's Chair, commented:
"The New York Lottery congratulates Mr. Taylor on winning this historic jackpot, the sales of which brought millions of dollars to New York's public schools and lottery retailers across the state."
Ahead of the April 14 drawing, ticket sales for the advertised $1 million jackpot produced a significant financial profit for New York State to help education, retailers, and players. The jackpot had rolled 21 times, contributing $21 million to education, $4.1 million in commissions to legal lottery operators, and $10.4 million in non-jackpot winnings.
As said before, this is the biggest Mega Millions win ever in New York since a group of co-workers won $437 million in 2019.
