This is the game’s first millionaire in Washington under the new enhancements; Fern Prairie Market awarded $10,000 bonus for selling winning ticket
Olympia, WA (May 12, 2025) – A man from Camas just became the first Washingtonian to win a second-tier multi-million-dollar Mega Millions prize since major updates were made to the game last month. Thanks to the 2X built-in multiplier on his ticket, his base prize of $1 million was doubled to $2 million.
The winner purchased his ticket at Fern Prairie Market, a local convenience store he regularly stops by for lunch. After buying his ticket on what he described as a typical day, he returned later to check his results. At first, the ticket scanner simply read “Contact Lottery Office,” which left him confused. When he scanned it a second time, however, the screen revealed life-changing news: he had won a $2 million prize. In shock, he walked straight to his car and called his wife to share the news.
While the couple hasn’t done anything big to celebrate just yet, the winner says the prize has already made a meaningful difference, as he will be able to pay for his daughter’s college education.
The winner’s $2 million prize was made possible by the new game matrix, which went into effect on April 5, 2025, when the new Mega Millions game launched. The updates introduced bigger prizes at every non-jackpot prize tier, better odds to win, larger starting jackpots, and tickets that now include automatic prize multipliers.
As an added bonus, Fern Prairie Market will receive a $10,000 selling bonus for selling the winning ticket. This is the largest winning ticket this store has sold.
Mega Millions is a national lottery game. Each play is $5. Players pick five numbers between one and 70 and one Mega Ball number between one and 24. Alternatively, players may use Quick Pick by letting the computer select their numbers. With nine winning ball combinations, the more numbers that match those drawn, the more a player will win.
Who Benefits
Since 1982, Washington’s Lottery has generated more than $5.3 billion to support several important state programs. The Lottery’s primary beneficiary is the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account (WOPA), which provides much-needed funding for programs including early childhood education, the Washington College Grant and College Bound program, Washington Award for Vocational Excellence, GET Ready for Math and Science scholarships, and more. These programs help provide critical services and support to thousands of Washington residents each year and help improve their lives.
Beneficiary Fact
Washington’s Lottery is proud to be a financial supporter of the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), which administers state financial aid programs. WSAC leads a variety of initiatives to increase educational opportunities for students, families, and educators across the state, with a particular focus on increasing equity by reaching communities of color and students from low-income families. The Lottery also proudly supports the state’s Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP), a state-funded pre-K program that helps children become kindergarten-ready by building early skills in reading, math and science. The program works closely with parents to support their children’s health and education.
About Washington’s Lottery: The state’s Lottery offers consumers several types of games, including Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, Hit 5, Match 4, Pick 3, Cash POP, Daily Keno and Scratch. For more information, visit www.walottery.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @walottery.
Keep it fun. Know your limit. Washington’s Lottery is an advocate for responsible gaming and collaborates with the Evergreen Council for Problem Gambling to provide resources for those in need. More information is available at www.walottery.com/Responsibility.
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Press Contacts
Dan Miller (Curator on behalf of Washington’s Lottery)
E-mail: dan.miller@curatorpr.com
Xiamara Garza (Curator on behalf of Washington’s Lottery)
E-mail: xiamara.garza@curatorpr.com