Valparaiso, Indiana – Someone in Valparaiso is starting the week much luckier than most after purchasing a $50,000 winning Mega Millions ticket. According to the Hoosier Lottery, the ticket matched four white balls and the Mega Ball in the drawing held on Friday, October 17.
The winning ticket was sold at VGCS BP, located at 1501 N. Calumet Avenue in Valparaiso. The winning numbers for Friday’s drawing were 9, 21, 27, 48, and 56, with a Mega Ball of 10. While no one hit the massive jackpot, this ticket still managed to secure a significant secondary prize that’s sure to brighten the day of one local player.
Lottery officials are encouraging all Mega Millions participants to check their tickets carefully, as even smaller prizes can sometimes go unnoticed. “Players can check their tickets with the free Hoosier Lottery Mobile App,” the announcement stated, noting that it’s the easiest and fastest way to verify winnings.
The lucky ticket holder is urged to keep their ticket in a safe place, seek professional financial advice, and contact Hoosier Lottery customer service at 1-800-955-6886 for specific claim instructions. Winners have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prize.
While $50,000 is an exciting windfall, even bigger stakes lie ahead. The next Mega Millions drawing, scheduled for Tuesday, offers an estimated $650 million jackpot — the 10th largest in the game’s history. The Mega Millions game continues to draw attention across the country as jackpots reach historic highs and more players try their luck at life-changing prizes.
The odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 23.07, according to the Hoosier Lottery. Though the odds of matching all six numbers are far slimmer, many Hoosiers continue to play, hoping that the next winning ticket will be theirs.
For now, one Valparaiso player is holding onto a ticket worth a small fortune — a reminder that sometimes, a single stop for gas and a quick lottery purchase can turn into a very big payday.
