Payson Resident Claims $1 Million Second Place Mega Millions(R) Prize

PHOENIX, AZ--(Marketwired - Dec 23, 2013) - The Arizona Lottery announces that a Payson resident has claimed the $1 million second place Mega Millions prize from the drawing on Friday, December 20. This is the first $1 million Mega Millions second prize winning ticket sold in Arizona since the Mega Millions game was redesigned in October.

Fred Wagenhals of Payson purchased his Mega Millions ticket at Giant located at 2010 N. Beeline Hwy. for the December 20 drawing. He left the ticket with his brother, before leaving town to drive to Scottsdale. A couple of days later, Fred's brother called to tell him he had a winning ticket and that the ticket was worth $1 million. Fred was so excited that he drove to Payson to get the ticket and back to Phoenix the same day. He redeemed his ticket at the Arizona Lottery office in Phoenix accompanied by his son. Fred had purchased several tickets and used his own numbers, which were those of his favorite NASCAR drivers.

Fred Wagenhals moved to Arizona around 1978 from the Midwest. He loves the climate here and is semi-retired, but still goes to work every day. He and his son work together in commercial development. Fred plans to invest his winnings and intends to keep playing Mega Millions.

"It was a joy to meet Fred today and hear how this win will not only brighten his holidays, but his life," said Karen Bach, director of budget, products and communications for the Arizona Lottery. "We expect to see a substantial increase in the number of new millionaires statewide in the coming months due to the recent Mega Millions redesign."

The Mega Millions game was redesigned on Oct. 22, 2013 to have faster growing jackpots, a $1 million second prize and better overall odds of winning any prize, while still remaining $1 per ticket.

The next Mega Millions draw is tomorrow, Dec. 24 for an estimated $22 million jackpot. Tickets can be purchased at any Arizona Lottery retailer.

Players must be 21 years or older to purchase or redeem tickets. Winners have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prize at an Arizona Lottery office or by mail. Overall odds vary by game. All sales are final. In accordance with the ADA, these materials may be made available in an alternative format. Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.NEXT STEP (1-800-639-8783). Please Play Responsibly™. Scratchers® is a registered service mark of the California Lottery.

About the Arizona Lottery
The Arizona Lottery operates entirely from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products; it receives no General Fund dollars from the State. Proceeds from sales of Lottery tickets -- nearly $3.4 million per week -- fund a variety of state programs. Since July 1981, the Arizona Lottery has paid out more than $5.4 billion in prizes to players, more than $3 billion in net funding to the state and more than $638 million in commissions to retailers. Learn more at ArizonaLottery.com.