Single Winner Sets a Lottery Record

There was one winning ticket for the jackpot of at least $230 million in the Mega Millions lottery, the biggest single prize in the game’s history.

The lucky ticket, purchased at a Stephens City convenience store, matched all five lotto numbers and the Mega Ball number to win the 11-state jackpot.

Lottery officials waited Saturday for the holder or holders of that single ticket to come forward.

The numbers drawn Friday night were: 1-13-20-21-30, and the Mega Ball was 24.

Lottery officials were still tallying the final jackpot, driven beyond the $230-million mark by bigger sales on Friday than expected, said Penelope Kyle, Virginia Lottery director.

The exact amount won’t be known until Monday because the jackpot is based on the bond market, officials said.

The jackpot was the main topic of conversation Saturday morning at the Red Apple Country Store, where the ticket was sold.

Employee P.J. Thomas said he was rooting for a few regular customers.

“I always tell them, ‘Don’t forget who sold you this ticket.’ We’ll see if they’re true to their word.”

Kyle said Friday’s nine-figure jackpot was the second-largest single-ticket jackpot sold in any lottery in the United States. The biggest was the Powerball jackpot of $314.9 million, won on Christmas Day 2002 by Jack Whitaker of Scott Depot, W.Va.