Largest jackpot ever won in Virginia claimed by anonymous winner

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- An anonymous winner recently claimed the largest jackpot that has ever been won in Virginia, and what they plan to do with it might be surprising to some.

The $348 million jackpot was won by a single ticket, bought at an E & C Mid Atlantic in Burgess, as part of the June 27 Mega Millions drawing, according to a Virginia Lottery release.

The winner told Virginia Lottery officials that they plan to buy a zero-radius riding lawn mower.

Additionally, there was a choice for the winner to take the jackpot in annual payments over 30 years, or take a one-time cash option of $155.6 million before tax -- the winner chose the cash.

Since the game began in 2002, this is the 10th Mega Millions jackpot that has been won in Virginia, the release said.

All profits made by the Virginia Lottery go towards Virginia’s K-12 public schools.