The search is on in the US for the winners of the world’s biggest ever lottery jackpot – an astronomical $640 million.
It has been revealed three winning ticket holders will be sharing the massive prize, with the winners in the states of Maryland, Kansas and Illinois, according to the BBC.
Americans spent an estimated $1.5 billion to enter the draw for the Mega Millions jackpot, which had reached the world record level because there had been no winner since the end of January.
Forty-two American states took part in Friday night’s draw. The winning numbers drawn were 2, 4, 23, 38, 46, and Mega Ball number 23.
Mike Lang, a spokesman for the Illinois Lottery, said his state’s ticket was sold in the town of Red Bud, near St Louis.
Denise Metzger, manager of the store that sold the ticket, told Associated Press: “It’s just unbelievable. Everyone is wanting to know who it is. All day yesterday I was selling tickets and I was hoping someone from Red Bud would win.”
Maryland Lottery said its winning ticket was sold in Baltimore County. Television cameras have swarmed the 7-Eleven store there that sold the ticket.
Losing punter Jackie Williams said: “It’s like a small town. I’ll bet I’ll know someone who knows the winner.”
The Kansas Lottery website said its ticket was bought in the north-east of the state.
The stores that sold the winning tickets will be receiving a $100,000 winning seller’s bonus.
Each winning ticket is expected to earn their holders more than $213 million before tax.
The winners have the option to either receive their full prize in 26 annual payments, or to receive a lower instant cash lump sum payment.
The previous world record jackpot prize was a $390 million Mega Millions prize that was split between two winners in 2007.
Lottery officials said the chance of winning the jackpot was one-in-176 million. Tickets cost $1.
The states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Alaska, Hawaii, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada do not participate in the draw.
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