Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Lottery is waiting for the winner of Wednesday’s $12.5 million Tri-State Megabucks Plus jackpot to come forward. The jackpot is the biggest prize awarded to a single player in the game’s 25-year history. The winning ticket was purchased at Top of the Hill in Dalton, NH.
“It has been crazy in here all day, with people coming in to ask if we know who won the prize,” said Bob Richard, owner of Top of the Hill. “We’re the only store within 10 miles in a town of 900 people. We’re hoping the winner is someone we know, someone who is really deserving.”
The winning number combination for the August 4th drawing was 8-9-12-20-35, and the Mega ball was 4. The largest jackpot for Tri-State Megabucks or Megabucks Plus was $16.4 million in January of 1992, but that prize was split between separate winners in Maine and Vermont.
“Somewhere out there, somebody is incredibly happy and we can’t wait to meet them,” said NH Lottery Executive Director Charlie McIntyre. “It’s not uncommon for a jackpot winner to wait a few days, get some legal and financial things in order, before coming forward. With a prize like twelve million dollars, it’s unquestionably the prudent thing to do.”
New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine rolled out Megabucks when they formed the Tri-State Lottery in 1985, the first multi-state lottery in the country. In July 2009, Tri-State enhanced Megabucks by creating $2 Megabucks Plus. This change increased prize levels and improved odds of winning.
“We’re going to mark Tri-State’s 25 years with special promotions in September. I’m thrilled that I’ll get to kick off the celebration with a check presentation for several million dollars,” said McIntyre.
The winner has the choice of receiving the prize in annual installments over 30 years or taking a lump sum payment of approximately $7.8 million before taxes. Bob and Merelyn Richard, the owners of Top of the Hill, will also receive a $30,000 commission for selling the winning ticket. The NH Lottery will present a check to the retailers in a ceremony on August 13.
About the NH Lottery:
Since 1964, the New Hampshire Lottery has had a significant financial impact on the state. For the past 46 years, the New Hampshire Lottery has recorded $4.1 billion in lottery sales and other earnings, with $2.7 billion being paid in prizes and other cost of sales. Net proceeds to education to date total more than $1.3 billion.
The New Hampshire Lottery Commission, located at 14 Integra Drive in Concord, currently manages all lottery operations in the state, including Instant games, New Hampshire POWERBALL®, Mega Millions® with Megaplier®, Tri-State Megabucks Plus®, Tri-State Weekly Grand®, Hot Lotto Sizzler®, and Tri-State Pick3/Pick4 Daily Numbers® games.
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