Last Minute Decision Leads to $1m Mega Millions Win

It’s taken them 20 years but a syndicate of medical workers have finally won a big lottery prize. They scooped a fantastic $1 million in the July 28 Mega Millions draw. Only a last minute decision led to them winning the great prize.

The 15-strong syndicate work at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. After their Mega Millions success, their group is now called ‘The Million Dollar Medics.’

Speaking about their win, syndicate member Jackie Burdick said that initially there were only five members. Over the past two decades though, they have tripled in size.

Shall we buy a ticket?

This Mega Millions win is one that very nearly didn’t happen. “We made a last-minute decision to play that day,” said the relieved winner. What a decision that was!

Their ticket was purchased in Smethport in Pennsylvania. It was when attending a medical appointment that Burdick heard someone locally had won $1 million. Later she scanned their ticket and the app said she should go and see a lottery retailer.

Oh my gosh!

Cue the surprise of her life when she did that and received this message. “Congratulations! You won $1 million.” Reading a message like that is obviously a bit shocking. “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh! This can’t be real.’”  Then she began to jump up and down and soon after the tears began to flow.

After taxes, each of the Mega Millions winners will receive $48,600. Jackie says that she plans to help her family with some of her windfall and also go on holiday.

Drew Svitko is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Lottery. Commenting on the Mega Millions win he said: “We always say, it only takes one ticket to win, and their last-minute decision certainly paid off.” He added that forming a syndicate (as you can at Lottery24) “is a terrific way to play responsibly and within your means.”

It could have been a much larger win. If they’d managed to match the Mega Ball, they’d have won the $940 million jackpot. Tonight’s Mega Millions draw has a $230 million top prize.

Buy your Mega Millions tickets from Lottery24.