CLEVELAND (AP) — An Ohio Lottery player won the first Millionaire for Life jackpot, claiming the top prize in a new multi-state lottery game.
The winner purchased a $5 ticket at a Giant Eagle store on Edgecliff Avenue in Cleveland, the lottery said. The customer chose their own numbers—4, 15, 19, 21, 31—with a Millionaire Ball of 4, rather than using the auto-pick option.
The Millionaire for Life jackpot offers two payout options: $1 million a year for life, paid as an annuity with a minimum guaranteed payout over 20 years, or a lump-sum cash payment of $18 million. The lottery did not say which option the winner selected after the April 27 drawing.
Ohio began selling Millionaire for Life tickets in February, joining 30 other states in launching the new game. Players have a 1 in 22.9 million chance of winning the top prize, according to officials.
Millionaire for Life replaced Lucky for Life, which cost $2 per ticket and awarded a top prize of $1,000 a day for life or $365,000 a year. The older game also included a secondary prize of $25,000 a year for life.
The new game features nine prize tiers. The lowest tier starts by matching one white ball plus the Millionaire Ball, or matching two white balls. Players select five numbers from 1 to 58 and one Millionaire Ball number from 1 to 5.
The overall odds of winning any prize in Millionaire for Life are 1 in 8.46. Drawings take place daily at 11:15 p.m.
