A Mega Millions ticket sold in New Mexico matched all five white balls, earning a $2 million payout with the Megaplier, while the main jackpot continues to grow and remains unclaimed
A Mega Millions player in New Mexico has claimed a $2 million Match 5 prize after matching all five white balls in the latest drawing, but the game’s top jackpot continues to roll over. The win highlights the ongoing appeal of high-value lottery prizes in states where Mega Millions tickets are available, even as the main jackpot remains elusive for most players.
New Mexico Ticket Hits Match 5 With Megaplier
The most recent Mega Millions drawing, held on August 25, produced a significant win for a New Mexico ticket holder who matched the five main numbers but missed the gold Mega Ball. Because the player opted for the Megaplier, their prize doubled from the standard $1 million to $2 million. The winning numbers drawn were 7, 10, 47, 48, and 50, with 14 as the Mega Ball.
No tickets matched all six numbers to claim the jackpot, but several other players across the country secured smaller prizes. Three tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega Ball, with payouts ranging from $20,000 to $30,000 depending on the Megaplier selected. The New Mexico win stands out as the only Match 5 prize awarded in this drawing.
Jackpot Rolls to $145 Million
With no jackpot winner in the August 25 drawing, the Mega Millions top prize has now grown to an estimated $145 million for the next scheduled drawing. Players who win the jackpot can choose between an annuity paid over 30 years or a one-time lump sum, which currently stands at $61.9 million before taxes. The jackpot has been rolling since it was last hit several weeks ago, and interest remains high as the prize pool increases.
Recent drawings have seen a slowdown in major wins, with the previous event producing only a single $30,000 payout. However, the awarding of two Match 5 prizes since the last jackpot—including the latest New Mexico win and a recent $2 million prize in South Carolina—shows that substantial non-jackpot prizes remain in play.
How Match 5 and Megaplier Work
To win the Match 5 prize, a player must match all five white balls but not the Mega Ball. The base prize for this achievement is $1 million, but players who add the Megaplier option can see their winnings multiplied by two, three, four, or five times, depending on the Megaplier number drawn. In this case, the New Mexico winner benefited from a 2x Megaplier, doubling their payout.
While the jackpot garners the most attention, the Match 5 prize remains a significant draw for regular players. The odds of hitting Match 5 are much longer than most secondary prizes but far better than the odds of winning the jackpot itself. For many, the Megaplier offers a way to boost potential winnings without dramatically increasing the cost of a ticket.
Lottery Prizes and State Trends
High-value lottery wins continue to attract attention in multiple states. For example, a recent Ohio Lottery scratch-off prize saw a trust claim $1 million, reflecting the ongoing popularity of large payouts beyond the main draw games. As Mega Millions and other multi-state lotteries roll over, secondary prizes like Match 5 remain a key part of the appeal for many players.
Understanding lottery prize structures is essential for players. In games like Mega Millions, the advertised jackpot is the annuitized amount paid over decades, while the lump sum is a smaller, immediate payout. Secondary prizes, such as Match 5, offer substantial rewards with better odds than the jackpot, especially when enhanced by options like the Megaplier. Players should always review official rules and odds before participating.
