The Houston metropolitan gas station that sold the $810 million Mega Millions ticket on Tuesday learned of its good fortune through a news report and a late-night phone call.
Murphy USA 8848 in Sugar Land was preparing to close for the night when the night shift employee got a call just as the state lottery released details of the winning jackpot ticket and the company that sold it.
“One of our closers got a call,” Murphy USA district manager Jonathan Amaya said. He told Houston Public Media. “Then I started reading articles online and it was our store. It's just crazy.”
The lottery buyer purchased the ticket at Murphy Express, located at 7520 Highway 90A in Sugar Land, and matched all six numbers drawn Tuesday night.
The lucky numbers were 1, 2, 16, 24, 66 and a golden Mega Ball 6.
“We're just excited,” Amaya said. “We hope to meet our customer who got the winning ticket, and we're really excited not only for this location, but for the community. This is a big win.”
Texas big-ticket winners can remain anonymous if their prize is more than $1 million.
The Texas Lottery said Tuesday's winner has not yet claimed his prize, but selected the cash option when he purchased his ticket, opting to receive a lump sum of $409.3 million.
The store is located across from Constellation Field, home of the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Houston Astros' affiliate, and 21 miles southwest of downtown Houston.
Because it sold the winning ticket, Murphy USA, as the retailer, is eligible to receive the $1 million prize.
“I want the employees to get a raise,” gas station patron Darryl Roquemore told the outlet.
“I woke up this morning and checked all my tickets because I'm playing here,” he added, “and the people here are so nice and so polite to everyone.”
Texas Lottery Executive Director Ryan Mindell gave the unidentified winner a few tips before cashing in his winning ticket.
“We are thrilled to congratulate the winner of the largest jackpot in Texas history and can't wait to meet the winner and celebrate in person,” Mindel said. “Anyone lucky enough to get a winning ticket should make sure they sign it, keep it in a safe place, consult with their financial and legal advisors, and contact the Texas Lottery before traveling to Austin to claim their prize.”
This is the seventh-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history and the largest prize ever won by a Texas Lottery player.
Texas wasn't the only state to have a million-dollar winner in Tuesday's drawing.
Four other lucky players from New York, California, Florida and Washington also hit five white balls to win the $1 million prize.
The New York ticket holder purchased his lucky ticket at a Gulf Express gas station in New Windsor, 15 miles north of West Point.
