$32M Lottery Winner Believes in Magic

Each goes home with $34.997M after paying Uncle Sam

(NEWSER) - Mirlande Wilson apparently lost something other than her "winning" ticket (her mind?), because Maryland's Mega Millions prize has officially been claimed, and the riches go to three friends who work together in the state's public school system—where they say they'll continue to work. They'll each walk away with $34.997 million after taxes, and they plan on staying anonymous. Want to mimic their good luck? Fox News shares their method: They each spent $20 on 60 tickets, which were purchased at three different locations. "They were modest," says the Maryland Lottery director. "They were humbled by this stroke of luck they've received." More»

Not Mirlande Wilson, we assume?

(NEWSER) - The owner of a winning Mega Millions lottery ticket stepped forward in Baltimore County today—and we assume it's not the one who lost her ticket . A Maryland Lottery spokeswoman refused to identify the winner, but said a "storyline" will be shared at a press conference tomorrow morning, the Baltimore Sun reports. Winners in Illinois and Kansas will help divvy up the $656 million prize, each banking over $100 million after taxes. More»

Wait just a minute before you call everyone you know

(NEWSER) - You're probably not going to hit the jackpot in tonight's $540 million Mega Millions drawing—but what if you do? First of all, if you bought a bunch of tickets with a pool of co-workers or friends, you might want to take a moment to write up a formal agreement before the 11pm ET drawing, the Houston Chronicle reports. Another good idea: distribute photocopies of the tickets to each pool member. "You never think about these things until after you won," one attorney says. "And that's what makes the litigation necessary." The AP offers more tips for after you win:

• DO sign the back of the ticket, make a copy, and hide it or lock it up somewhere safe.
• DON'T call everyone you know to tell them the good news—soon you'll be overwhelmed with people hoping to share in your newfound riches.
• DO get in touch with a lawyer and a financial planner—preferably people you trust. Can't think of anyone? Ask a trusted family member or friend for a recommendation.

You have a strategy? It won't improve your odds: mathematicians

(NEWSER) - Have some complicated algorithm you think will help you win the Mega Millions record $500 million jackpot? Sorry, but there's really nothing you can do to improve your odds … which are about one in 176 million, ABC News reports. Since the pool of numbers never changes (the first five winning balls come from a set that runs 1 to 56; the last one can be any number from 1 to 46), "your chances of winning the jackpot with Mega Millions will always be the same," says one gaming mathematician, who has not purchased a ticket in 25 years. "It doesn't matter what numbers you pick or the jackpot size." More»

Combine Election Day with a lottery: Norman Ornstein

(NEWSER) - Nearly half the adult population of the US took part in last month's Mega Millions lottery, giving Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute an idea on how to "transform" our political system: Enter voters in a lottery. If people have the chance to win big by voting, it's a safe bet that turnout would jump to a healthy 80% or so, he writes in the New York Times . Critics will scoff that it amounts to bribing people to perform their civic duty, but so what? Look at the benefits. More»