The $1 billion winning ticket may have been sold in Michigan, but two lucky New Yorkers won $1 million consolation prizes after Friday’s historic Mega Millions drawing.
A ticket sold at the Moonlight Deli & Grocery on 21st Street in Astoria and a second sold at a Bolla convenience store at a gas station in Sheepshead Bay each won second prize in the drawing, the New York Lottery said.
“I sold the winning ticket!” said Nasir Dar, 44, a cashier who’s worked at Bolla for three years. He said it was the store’s biggest win. “We’ve had $5,000, $20,000 but nothing like this.”
In these difficult times, he’s happy a New Yorker will share part of the big win.
The winning ticket was sold at a Kroger located in Novi, a northern suburb of Detroit — about a 30-minute drive from the city — the state lottery website confirmed. The winning numbers were 4-26-42-50-60 with a Mega Ball number of 24.
The big winner has not yet come forward to claim their prize, which rose to $1 billion or $739.6 million as a lump-sum, before taxes.
No one had stopped in at Bolla to claim their winnings early Saturday either. “There are so many people who buy their tickets here,” Dar said. “I’m hoping that person comes in today. I want to know who bought it.”
General Manager Shahid Raza was also on the lookout for the winner. “I wish I had sold the $1 billion ticket, but I will settle for $1 million now,” he quipped.
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