Florida Lottery Records Show Six Mega Millions Wins Totaling $3.76 Billion
Analysis of six major jackpot wins from 2014 to 2026, including a record-breaking billion-dollar prize and an unclaimed $800 million award.
Florida has emerged as a significant hub for Mega Millions jackpots, with six major wins recorded between 2014 and July 2026 totaling $3.76 billion. The most recent victory occurred on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, when a ticket sold at a Wawa in Bradenton matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball for an estimated $800 million prize. As of mid-August 2026, this substantial award remains unclaimed according to Florida Lottery officials.
Record-Breaking Wins and Unclaimed Prizes
The history of these jackpots reveals a mix of massive payouts and missed opportunities for Floridians. The largest single prize in the state's recent lottery history occurred on August 8, 2023, when a ticket sold at a Publix in Neptune Beach won $1.58 billion. That winner, identified as Saltines Holdings LLC from Miami, opted for the cash option, receiving approximately $794 million before taxes.
Conversely, not all winners have successfully claimed their rewards. On August 15, 2023, a week after the billion-dollar win, another Publix location in Jacksonville sold a winning ticket worth $36 million. The winner failed to come forward within the statutory deadline of 180 days for annual payments or 60 days for cash options, resulting in the forfeiture of the prize, as we reported in Florida Lotto Jackpot Hits $3.5 Million for July 25 Draw.
Recent Bradenton Victory Details
The latest $800 million jackpot followed a streak of 37 rollovers that began after St. Patrick's Day. The winning numbers were 34-48-49-59-70 with the Mega Ball number 12. Florida Lottery Secretary Reginald Dixon issued a statement congratulating the new winner, noting that "every ticket carries the possibility of a dream come true." The total final sales for this drawing reached $803 million, a story we covered in Florida Lotto Jackpot Hits $3.5 Million for July 25 Draw.
Winners in Florida have specific deadlines to claim their prizes. For the cash option, recipients must act within 60 days of the draw date; for annuity payments, they have 180 days. As of August 2026, the Bradenton winner has until January 24, 2027, to claim the annual payment structure, according to France24.
Historical Context of Florida Lottery Success
Beyond the recent billion-dollar and $800 million wins, other notable claims include a $450 million prize won in Port Richey on January 5, 2018, claimed by Secret 007 LLC from Palm Harbor. Additionally, a March 3, 2014, win at a Sunoco station in Merritt Island awarded Cobie and Seamus Trust $115 million after they chose the lump sum for a $400 million jackpot.
These figures highlight Florida's consistent presence among top lottery-winning states. The accumulation of these jackpots underscores the economic impact of state lotteries, while also serving as a reminder of the strict time limits imposed on claimants.
