John Valenti

One ticket sold on Long Island came within one correct Mega Ball number of hitting the $1.1 billion jackpot prize in Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing, New York lottery officials said. 
 But that ticket-holder will have a million reasons not to feel too sad about the close call Wednesday, despite having to settle for becoming a millionaire – instead of a billionaire. 
 The New York State Lottery said the $1 million second-place “consolation” prize-winning ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven store located at 613 Broadhollow Rd.&nbsp;in Melville. 
 It was one of seven consolation tickets sold in the United States&nbsp;– two in California, one each in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin and New York. The Texas ticket was sold with a “Megaplier,” a paid option that made that ticket worth $4 million. 
 The other six winning tickets are worth $1 million each. 
 The jackpot for Tuesday night’s drawing was worth an estimated $1.1 billion, with a $550.2 million cash option, officials said. 
 The jackpot for the next Mega Millions drawing, scheduled for Friday, will be an estimated $1.25 billion,&nbsp;one of the largest in U.S. history&nbsp;– with a $625.3 million cash option – officials said Wednesday.&nbsp;No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since April 18.&nbsp; 
 The winning numbers drawn Tuesday were 8, 24, 30, 45 and 61 with the number 12 Mega Ball. The seven consolation winners all had the five field numbers, but missed the winning Mega ball. 
 Tuesday night’s drawing&nbsp;was the 30th straight without a winner. The lottery drought is due to a combination of poor luck and terrible odds, as the chance of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 302.6 million. The odds of winning smaller prizes, ranging from $2 to $1 million, are significantly better. 
 Numbers are drawn from a field of 70, while the Mega Ball is drawn separately from a field numbered 1-25. 
 A single winning ticket worth $1.537 billion was hit by someone in South Carolina on Oct. 23, 2018. Including that winning ticket, lottery officials said Mega Millions has had four billion-dollar winning tickets sold in drawings – in 2018, 2021, 2022 and one earlier this year. 
 —With AP

One ticket sold on Long Island came within one correct Mega Ball number of hitting the $1.1 billion jackpot prize in Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing, New York lottery officials said. But that ticket-holder will have a million reasons not to feel too sad about the close call Wednesday, despite having to settle for becoming a millionaire – instead of a billionaire. The New York State Lottery said the $1 million second-place “consolation” prize-winning ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven store located at 613 Broadhollow Rd. in Melville. It was one of seven consolation tickets sold in the United States – two in California, one each in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin and New York. The Texas ticket was sold with a “Megaplier,” a paid option that made that ticket worth $4 million. The other six winning tickets are worth $1 million each. The jackpot for Tuesday night’s drawing was worth an estimated $1.1 billion, with a $550.2 million cash option, officials said. The jackpot for the next Mega Millions drawing, scheduled for Friday, will be an estimated $1.25 billion, one of the largest in U.S. history – with a $625.3 million cash option – officials said Wednesday. No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since April 18. The winning numbers drawn Tuesday were 8, 24, 30, 45 and 61 with the number 12 Mega Ball. The seven consolation winners all had the five field numbers, but missed the winning Mega ball. Tuesday night’s drawing was the 30th straight without a winner. The lottery drought is due to a combination of poor luck and terrible odds, as the chance of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 302.6 million. The odds of winning smaller prizes, ranging from $2 to $1 million, are significantly better. Numbers are drawn from a field of 70, while the Mega Ball is drawn separately from a field numbered 1-25. A single winning ticket worth $1.537 billion was hit by someone in South Carolina on Oct. 23, 2018. Including that winning ticket, lottery officials said Mega Millions has had four billion-dollar winning tickets sold in drawings – in 2018, 2021, 2022 and one earlier this year. —With AP

Long Island

LILOTTO230803

Mega Millions ticket sold in Melville worth $1 million as jackpot climbs to $1.25 billion

Melville

Suffolk

onecms:175e1a5e-b83f-45f7-843a-313c0974fb15

Newsday

$1M winning Mega Millions ticket sold in Melville as jackpot climbs to $1.25B

LILOTTO230803_photos

Most Popular

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

From pizza to clams, Newsday food writer Andi Berlin visits two restaurants that are on the way to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater.

Eats en route to Jones Beach

Former Holy Trinity lineman Lance Swift spoke with Newsday high school sports reporter Jared Valluzzi after the Titans suspended their football program.

Former Holy Trinity lineman reflects on football program suspension

NewsdayTV's Marie Elena Martinez got a sneak peek at the new Babylon Whiskey Down Diner location, which is currently under construction with plans to open in the fall.

Take a peek inside Whiskey Down Diner's new location

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed heads to a new restaurant opened by the same owners who created Westhampton Beach Brewery.

Out East: Brewery opens new restaurant

The Manor of St. George is one of the most serene spots on the Island. But on one night in 1780, it was the scene of a bloody battle, NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

America 250: Battle of the Manor of St. George

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visited Garcia's Taco Bar in Brentwood to try their birria ramen.

Trendy Bites: Birria ramen

For a quick trip not far from home, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano checks out the Rockaway Hotel.

A getaway close to home for mom

An arbitrator detailed ex-officer George Trimigliozzi's poor job performance before his high-profile criminal case. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie and Newsday investigative reporter Jim Baumbach has more.

Suffolk brothel cop repeatedly ignored emergency calls before indictment

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano joined the volunteers of Save the Great South Bay to clean oysters. The oysters are cleaned weekly and then placed back into the bay, where they'll be able to help filter the water.

Help boost the Great South Bay oyster population

As boaters set out on the water this summer, they will be paying more at the pump. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Boaters feeling the pinch at the pump 

Latest Videos

Latest videos

Homeowners say their taxes make it almost unaffordable to live on Long Island. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa sat down with Newsday towns reporter Sam Kmack to learn more about residents who are taking action.

'Homeowners are under real financial pressure'

Following two days of hazy skies from the Canadian wildfire smoke, NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has a look at what the weekend weather will look like.

Long Island weather: Expect bluer skies this afternoon

'He really wasn't being a police officer'

NewsdayTV goes behind the scenes of the day Rex Heuermann was sentenced for the Gilgo killings.

'A million years isn't enough'

The hazy skies are hanging around Long Island Thursday as smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to fill the air.

Long Island weather: When will smoke, heat go away?

Sign up for the NewsdayTV newsletter

Long Island Newsletter Widget

Sunday, air quality is expected to be "moderate," with sunny conditions and highs in the low 80s, according to the National Weather Service.

Sunny skies, clear air expected to replace downpours, smoke

Long Island Article Bottom Module

SCPD and the Street Takeover Task Force shut down the event late Friday night, police said.

9 arrested, 12 vehicles seized at illegal street racing event in East Farmingdale

"We've been here before, we're very comfortable where we are and I'm very confident in these girls," manager Joe Sollitto said.

Massapequa International softball drops LLWS regional opener, plays elimination game Monday

She starred at Commack High School before playing professionally and called hosting the clinic a "full-circle moment."

Former WNBA player Prahalis-Holmes holds girls basketball clinic in Hauppauge

An 89-year-old Southold woman driving on County Route 48 attempted to make a left and struck an eastbound van carrying seven passengers, officials said.

Southold crash involving party bus, pickup sends 6 to hospital with minor injuries

The unidentified man may have died after a medical emergency, police said.

Police identify man found dead in Three Mile Harbor in Springs by clammers

Tax protests in 2025 were up 50% or more in Southold, Riverhead, East Hampton and Shelter Island, a Newsday data analysis found.

Suffolk tax rolls have been frozen for decades. On the East End, challenges have skyrocketed.

Long Island Video Playlist

'Honestly, I was hurt'

A heat advisory remains in effect on Long Island through late Thursday. NewsdayTV's meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.

Canadian wildfire smoke could impact Long Island

Vincent Puleo, who's worked in public office for nearly two decades, terminated the spa's lease following Newsday's reporting. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie talks with Newsday reporters Sandra Peddie and Bahar Ostadan about the story.

'They dabble in other stuff behind the covers'

Police are only addressing the supply, but demand is what fuels the illicit sex trade, experts say. Newsday political reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story.

'If you don't address demand, you don't address the problem'

Suffolk County officials Monday warned of scammers, preying primarily on the elderly, who direct people to liquidate their life savings to buy gold bars. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Very thankful that we saved that money for her'

There have been 23 closures due to shark sightings at Queens' Rockaway Beach and that has other South Shore beaches on alert. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'They're coming to visit more often'

DeVuono describes her scheme to an undercover investigator in January 2022.

See the undercover video of the DeVuono sting

Joe Tosini, owner of River Center Shopping Center in Riverhead, said the businesses in the center lost power during Saturday's storms and that their electricity wasn't restored until late Tuesday afternoon. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'We're still behind'

The foundation paid for staff events at wine bars, a $2,000 limo ride and a Gracie Mansion gala. Newsday investigative reporter Peter D'auria, Richard Kessel, current chairman of the Nassau Health Care Corporation and Albany Law School professor Randle Pollard discuss.

'It should exist for the benefit of the hospital'

It was an unimaginable crime that shattered the idyllic image of a suburbia. On July 4, 1956, little Peter Weinberger, only 32 days old, was snatched out of his stroller on the back patio of his family's home in Westbury and killed. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'It impacts who I am today, and I'm going to be 80'

Dangerous extreme heat with the possibility of thunderstorms are in store for Long Island and the entire NYC area beginning Wednesday, NewsdayTV's meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.

Possible record temperatures coming

Juan Bonilla Lagos, who was arrested by ICE in October near his Plainview home, was freed from jail after nine months.

'I fought so hard'

Homepage Trending

Cyclospora: How to protect yourself

Jones Beach Bandshell free concert lineup

Trump accounts: What LI parents need to know

Summer Fun Book

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

Three Newsday photographers talk to NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland about covering the tragic crash of TWA Flight 800 in 1996.

'I've never seen fire sitting on the water'

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

Long Island - megaslot

Follow all the latest news on Long Island with Newsday. Read top local stories, watch video, and see pictures from all around Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Most Popular

Latest Videos

Stay logged in.