Estuardo Gomez Diaz, a 52-year-old resident of Le Mars, struck luck just in time for the holidays by winning a $20,000 Mega Millions prize. As reported by MSN, Gomez matched four of the five white balls and the Mega Ball in Friday’s drawing. This impressive win meant he was just one number away from the massive $862 million jackpot. MSN referred to a release from the Iowa Lottery in their report.
The winning ticket was purchased at Kwik Star in Le Mars. Gomez shared that he discovered his good fortune while out Christmas shopping. Excitedly, he called his son over and exclaimed, “I think I won!” His son confirmed the news with equal enthusiasm, saying, “Yeah, you did!”
Gomez plans to use the prize money to make improvements to his home, purchase new furniture, and possibly take a trip to Guatemala.
This win has brought extra cheer to his Christmas season, turning a simple ticket into a life-enhancing opportunity.
What exactly is Mega Millions
Mega Millions is a popular lottery game played in many states across the U.S., giving people the thrilling chance to win life-changing amounts of money. With jackpots that often climb into the hundreds of millions, the excitement builds as the prize pool grows week by week. The Mega Millions lottery often draws significant attention during the holiday season, with jackpots and secondary prizes offering players the chance to make their Christmas dreams come true. The $20K prize which was attained by Estuardo Gomez Diaz is one such secondary prize, typically won by matching specific combinations of numbers.
How Do You Win the Prize?
Jackpot: The jackpot starts at $20 million and keeps growing every time there’s no winner, often reaching hundreds of millions. To win the jackpot, you need to match all five white balls and the Mega Ball.
Secondary Prizes: There are also smaller prizes for matching some of the numbers. If you just match the Mega Ball, you’ll win at least $2. If you match all five white balls (but not the Mega Ball), you could win up to $1 million!
Megaplier: For a little extra, you can add the Megaplier to your ticket, which increases your non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, or even 5 times, depending on the multiplier drawn.
Drawings: Mega Millions drawings happen every Tuesday and Friday night at 11 p.m. ET, giving you two chances each week to win big!
To win, you simply buy a Mega Millions ticket and match the right numbers in the draw. In the case of the $20K prize, it was likely won by matching four of the five white balls and the Mega Ball, along with the Megaplier. The Megaplier is an option that multiplies non-jackpot winnings for a small extra cost, making the prize even bigger.
The Christmas Connection
Winning on Christmas Eve adds a special kind of magic to an already unforgettable moment. It’s like unwrapping the ultimate holiday gift! For many, it feels like a Christmas miracle, making the joy and warmth of the season even more meaningful. It’s a win that’s not just about money, but about the extra holiday cheer that comes with it.
How much is the Mega Millions jackpot now?
With no winning ticket declared on Friday, the estimated grand prize has grown to $1 billion — getting ever closer to the uncommon billion-dollar milestone.
