Why the convenience store that sold the winning Mega Millions ticket also is lucky
- The Mega Millions ticket was purchased in a Chicago suburb convenience store.
- In Illinois, businesses receive 1% of the jackpot if they sell the winning ticket.
The winning ticket for the $1.337 billion Mega Millions jackpot announced Friday was sold at a convenience store in a Chicago suburb - but the ticketholder isn't the only winner.
The Des Plaines, Illinois, Speedway gas station where the lucky ticket was sold also will benefit from the jackpot, according to Fox Business.
In Illinois, businesses receive 1% of the jackpot up to $500,000, a 1% commission on all winning ticket redemption, and 5% Instant Ticket and Draw game sales, the report says.
An employee from the Speedway location confirmed the historic billion-dollar win with Fox Business.
"So, obviously it's a shock, but I'm happy that somebody from Illinois was able to win it," they said.
In 2021, another Illinois retailer also cashed in for $500,000 after their store sold the winning $56 million Mega Millions ticket.
Ohio Lottery Director Pat McDonald offered congratulations to his counterpart in the nearby state, indicating its broader benefits.
"We are thrilled to have witnessed one of the biggest jackpot wins in Mega Millions history. We're eager to find out who won and look forward to congratulating the winner soon. Better still, this exciting jackpot run has had a significant positive impact on the revenues for good causes raised by our member lotteries," he added.