Ohio lottery lovers have been joining in on the fun since 1974, when the first Ohio lottery game, Buckeye 300, was introduced. In 1983, Ohio began using lottery revenue to help fund education within the state. In 1992, the mini-lotto game Buckeye 5 was introduced, featuring a top prize of $100,000. In 2002, Ohio joined Mega Millions, and many other lottery games have been added since.
The Ohio Lottery's Largest Jackpot Payouts
Big jackpots have attracted millions of lottery lovers to join in, hoping to win a prize. Ohio lottery’s largest win was $267 million from a Mega Millions drawing on February 28, 2006. Let’s look at the top 10 wins over time and what game provided such a large jackpot.
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$267 million - Mega Millions drawn on February 28, 2006
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$265 million - Mega Millions drawn on April 18, 2006
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$260 million - Powerball drawn on June 2, 2010
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$207 million - Mega Millions drawn on December 12, 2008
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$196 million - Mega Millions drawn on May 16, 2008
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$170 million - Mega Millions drawn on June 22, 2005
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$155 million - Mega Millions drawn on December 30, 2003
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$122 million - Powerball drawn on July 9, 2014
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$106 million - Mega Millions drawn on June 3, 2005
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$99 million - Mega Millions drawn on August 5, 2011
What Happens After Winning Big in the Ohio Lottery
Did you participate in the Ohio Lottery and win big? Here’s what you need to know:
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Sign your ticket! Anyone who gets a hold of your Ohio winning lottery ticket can claim it if it’s not signed. A good habit to get into is to sign your ticket when you get it, whether it’s a winner or not. This way, if it is a winner, you protect yourself, as no one else can sign it.
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Keep your ticket in a safe place. Lock it in a drawer, file cabinet, or safe. Don’t keep a winning ticket in your wallet, where it can get lost, stolen, or damaged. In several states, there is no recourse if your ticket is lost, damaged or stolen, so you want that winning ticket to be secure!
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Gather your team. If you are fortunate enough to win big, you will want professionals to help you with claiming your prize and making plans for the future. You can claim your prize anonymously in Ohio, so no one has to know who you are. A CPA can help you decide whether a lump sum cash prize or the annuity option is better for your tax situation. A financial planner can assist you in determining how to invest your winnings so your prize lasts for years to come.
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Make a plan. And stick to it! An Ohio winning lottery jackpot can bring significant money into your life. Have some fun with the money, but also have a plan for what to do next.
Join in the fun!
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P.S. Check out these Ohio winners who ordered their tickets using Jackpocket!
