$2M Mega Millions Win: Kentucky Man Turns Dream Into Reality

A $2M Mega Millions win has turned a Frankfort man into a millionaire after the Dec. 26 drawing in Kentucky. The winner matched five white ball numbers and claimed the prize this week, according to the Kentucky Lottery.

The man, who chose to remain anonymous, said he had dreamed about winning the lottery. His ticket was purchased in Frankfort, Kentucky, and narrowly missed the much larger jackpot by just one number.

Details Behind the $2M Mega Millions Win

The $2M Mega Millions win came from matching the five white ball numbers drawn on Dec. 26: 9, 19, 31, 63, and 64. Under standard Mega Millions rules, matching these numbers earns a $1 million prize.

The total doubled because the ticket included the built-in Megaplier feature. The Megaplier for that drawing was two, which increased the prize to $2 million. Lottery officials confirmed the details when the ticket was claimed.

The winning ticket was sold at a Racetrac gas station located at 101 Bizzack Blvd. in Frankfort. The retailer will receive a $20,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket, as confirmed by the Kentucky Lottery.

The winner said he typically plays Powerball and Mega Millions only when jackpots rise to high levels. For this drawing, he selected his own numbers instead of using a quick pick.

He chose numbers tied to significant family dates, including birthdays. Several days after the drawing, he returned to the store to scan his tickets.

The first ticket scanned showed a small prize. When the second ticket displayed $2 million, he said it took time to fully process the moment before leaving the store.

What Happens After a Major Lottery Win

After confirming the $2M Mega Millions win, the Kentucky man waited several days before claiming the prize. He said the delay allowed him time to research next steps and plan financially.

Once claimed, the prize was processed under standard state and federal tax rules. After taxes were deducted, the winner received a check totaling $1,450,000.

The Kentucky Lottery confirmed the payout amount and noted that all procedures followed standard lottery regulations. Officials emphasized the importance of financial planning for winners of large prizes.

The man told lottery officials he plans to invest most of the money and use part of it for travel. No additional personal details were released at his request.

Lottery officials also reminded players that prizes below the jackpot level can still result in life-changing amounts. Matching five numbers remains one of the most significant non-jackpot outcomes in Mega Millions.

The $2M Mega Millions win highlights how a single ticket can change lives overnight, even without hitting the full jackpot.