Florida Man Turns Gas Stop Into $6M Jackpot

Updated August 8, 2026
Florida, USA
Two large jackpots won successful conscionable implicit a week!

What Happened? The Quick Version

Imagine buying a $2 summons astatine a state presumption and waking up a multimillionaire. That’s precisely what happened twice successful Florida successful precocious July and aboriginal August 2026:

1. July 28: A azygous summons bought astatine a Wawa successful Bradenton won the $800 cardinal Mega Millions jackpot (after 37 rollovers!).
2. August 5: A Quick Pick summons sold astatine a Sunoco successful Lakeland won the $6 cardinal Florida Lotto jackpot (after 9 rollovers).

Both winners person travel guardant to assertion their prizes. Here’s the elemental breakdown of everything you request to know.

The Mega Millions Mega-Win ($800 Million)

The Winning Ticket

• Where: Wawa, 14510 State Road 70 E, Bradenton, Florida
• When: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 drawing
• Jackpot: $800 million (estimated annuity) — 1 of the Top 10 largest Mega Millions prizes ever
• Winning Numbers: 34 - 48 - 49 - 59 - 70 + Mega Ball: 12
• The Streak: The jackpot rolled implicit 37 times since conscionable aft St. Patrick’s Day.

[!IMPORTANT] Key Fact
This was a single winning ticket. That means 1 idiosyncratic (or a radical pooling money) holds the full $800M prize. They person the prime of taking yearly payments implicit 30 years oregon a smaller, one-time currency lump sum.

The Florida Lotto Win ($6 Million)

The Winning Ticket

• Where: 3B’s Sunoco, 5565 New Tampa Highway, Lakeland, Florida
• When: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 drawing
• Jackpot: $6 million (after 9 rollovers)
• Winning Numbers: 4 - 19 - 21 - 22 - 30 - 45
• Double Play Numbers: 2 - 6 - 10 - 12 - 44 - 50 (separate $1 add-on game)
• Claim Status: Claimed arsenic of August 8, 2026.
• Payout Choice: Winner took the one-time currency option: $3,251,148.

The Very Next Drawing (Saturday, August 8)

Because the jackpot was won connected Wednesday, it reset to $1 million for Saturday.

• Saturday Numbers: 3 - 11 - 20 - 25 - 40 - 42
• Double Play: 3 - 7 - 13 - 16 - 37 - 44
• No connection yet connected a victor for this gully — it whitethorn rotation implicit again.

How to Play Florida Lotto (ELI5 Guide)

Think of it similar a elemental matching game. Here’s however it works:

The Basics

1. Cost: $2 per play (base ticket).
2. Pick Numbers: Choose 6 numbers from 1 to 53 — oregon inquire for a "Quick Pick" and the machine picks randomly for you.
3. Drawings: Every Wednesday & Saturday astatine 11:15 PM ET (holidays included).
4. Win: Match 3 to 6 numbers to triumph a prize.
   • Match 2 numbers → Free $2 ticket for adjacent draw.
   • Match all 6 → JACKPOT! (Starts astatine $1M, grows until won).

Optional Add-Ons (Cost $1 each)

[!TIP] Pro Tip
You tin adhd both Double Play and EZmatch to the aforesaid $2 summons for $4 total.

Critical Deadlines: Don’t Lose Your Ticket!

[!WARNING] Don’t Wait!
Sign the backmost of your summons immediately, support it safe, and cheque the numbers. A mislaid unsigned summons = anyone tin assertion it.

Can You Stay Anonymous successful Florida?

Short Answer: No, not forever. But you get a 90-day caput start.

The Rules (Florida Law)

1. Public Record: By law, the Florida Lottery must release:
   • Winner’s full name
   • City of residence
   • Game won, date, and amount
   • To anyone who asks (media, public, etc.).
2. The 90-Day Exception: If you triumph $250,000 oregon more, your name is hidden for 90 days from the assertion date.
   • After 90 days, your sanction becomes nationalist unless you legally waive the exemption (rare).
3. No Trusts/LLCs for Anonymity: Unlike immoderate states, Florida does not allow claiming done a spot oregon LLC to fell your identity.

[!IMPORTANT] Plan Ahead
If you triumph big, hire a lawyer and fiscal advisor BEFORE you claim. Use the 90-day model to acceptable up security, alteration telephone numbers, and hole for the attention.

The Odds: Reality Check

[!NOTE] Perspective
You’re much apt to beryllium struck by lightning portion singing "Happy Birthday." But hey — someone wins. In Florida, it was 2 someones successful 2 weeks!

What’s Next?

Summary: The Big Picture

1. Florida is hot! Two monolithic wins successful 10 days: $800M Mega Millions (Bradenton) + $6M FL Lotto (Lakeland).
2. Tickets were sold astatine mundane spots: A Wawa state station and a Sunoco.
3. Both winners claimed quickly. The Lotto victor took $3.25M cash; the Mega Millions victor has 60 days to take currency vs. annuity.
4. You tin play FL Lotto for $2. Pick 6 numbers (1-53), adhd Double Play/EZmatch for $1 each. Drawings Wed/Sat 11:15 PM ET.
5. Claim deadlines are strict: 180 days max, 60 days for jackpot currency option.
6. Anonymity is temporary: 90-day shield for prizes $250K+, past your sanction is nationalist record.
7. Odds are long, but existent radical win. Next FL Lotto draw: Wed, Aug 12.

FAQ: Your Top 5 Questions Answered

1. I deliberation I person a winning ticket. What bash I bash FIRST?

Sign the backmost immediately! Then, enactment it successful a harmless place. For prizes over $600, you indispensable assertion astatine a Florida Lottery territory office oregon by message (certified, insured). For jackpots, go to office successful Tallahassee with a lawyer/financial advisor.

2. Can I bargain Florida Lotto tickets online?

No. Florida does not merchantability draw-game tickets (Lotto, Powerball, Mega Millions) online oregon via app. You indispensable bargain from a licensed retailer (gas station, grocery, convenience store).

3. What if I suffer a winning ticket?

If it’s unsigned, anyone who finds it tin assertion it. If signed, lone you tin assertion — but you must person the carnal ticket. No summons = nary prize. Photocopies/photos don’t count.

4. How are the "Double Play" numbers different?

They’re a separate drawing utilizing the exact aforesaid 6 numbers you picked for the main Lotto draw. It costs $1 extra. You tin triumph up to $250,000 successful Double Play even if you suffer the main game. Drawn close aft the main numbers.

5. Why does the jackpot reset to $1 million?

Florida Lotto has a guaranteed starting jackpot of $1 million. Every drafting with no jackpot winner rolls the wealth over, making it grow. Once hit, it resets to $1M for the adjacent draw.

Good luck if you play! Remember: Only walk what you tin spend to lose. The lottery is entertainment, not a fiscal plan.
Stay updated: Check floridalottery.com for authoritative numbers, claiming info, and adjacent gully estimates.

Source: Florida Lottery authoritative reports & USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida reporting (Lianna Norman & Jennifer Sangalang).