Expected to Receive 230 Billion KRW Before Tax
The Winner Has Not Been Revealed Yet
Previous Winners Also Included Pizza Shop Owners
[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] A customer who visited a pizza shop in New York, USA, won the largest prize in New York City lottery history, amounting to 500 billion won.
According to the New York Post and others on the 22nd (local time), a customer who visited the pizza shop "Pronto Pizza" in Manhattan, New York City, the previous night won the Mega Millions lottery worth $432 million (approximately 510 billion won).
This customer was the only winner who matched all six numbers: five numbers 36, 41, 45, 51, 56 and the Mega Ball number 13, and it is known that the lottery ticket was purchased just before the Mega Millions drawing.
In Mega Millions, to win first prize, you must match all six numbers: five numbers plus the bonus number called the Mega Ball.
The shop owner, David Kirala (55), said, "I don't know who the winner is," adding, "I hope it was one of our regular customers."
He added, "I am happy because of the winner," and "I hope it was delivered at a moment when the lottery was needed."
Kirala himself will also receive a $10,000 (approximately 12 million won) commission for the win.
He expressed some dissatisfaction, saying, "Receiving the commission is not very exciting," and "It would be fair to receive at least 1% or 2% of the prize money."
He also mentioned that six years ago, a $3 million (approximately 360 million won) lottery winner and nine years ago, a $4 million (approximately 470 million won) lottery winner came from his shop.
After this news spread, a line of customers hoping to become "overnight millionaires" formed at the pizza shop where the big winner emerged.
In fact, George Chow, who won $10,000 (approximately 12 million won) from a Powerball lottery ticket purchased at the pizza shop that afternoon, said he drew the lottery hoping the luck of the big winner would remain, stating, "There is good energy in the shop."
According to Mega Millions, the winner of this huge lottery prize will receive $192 million (approximately 230 billion won) after taxes.
This prize is the largest in New York City lottery history. The previous highest prize was $343 million (approximately 400 billion won) won by Robert Bailey (67) in October 2018.
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