A Mega Millions ticket purchased at 32 Whistle Stop, 2135 Highway 32 in Halfway, led to a $50,000 win for a Missouri Lottery player following the Dec. 26 drawing. 

The winning Mega Millions numbers that night were 9, 19, 31, 63 and 64, with a Mega Ball number of 7. The ticket matched four of five white-ball numbers drawn, as well as the Mega Ball number, to win a base prize of $10,000. Since Mega Millions tickets now automatically include a multiplier feature, the winner’s prize was instantly increased by the multiplier number printed next to his winning play. The “5X” printed on his ticket meant his prize was immediately multiplied by 5 – producing a total prize of $50,000.

When asked about plans for his winnings, the winner replied, “Nothing definite, but we’re thinking we’d like to be a blessing with part of it. We’d like to enjoy part of it and then hopefully be able to save a little bit of it.”

Mega Millions is a multi-state Draw Game that costs $5 per play with large jackpots that start at $50 million and a second-tier prize of up to $10 million. Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday evening at 10 p.m. Tuesday’s estimated jackpot is $215 million. 

In FY25, players in Polk County won more than $4.4 million in Missouri Lottery prizes, retailers received more than $435,000 in commissions and bonuses, and more than $3.6 million in Lottery proceeds went to education programs in the county.