Illinois lottery player bags $14.6m jackpot

• Illinois Lottery mints its biggest winner in 2025 yet, with 14.6-million won off a single ticket
• The prize has resulted in a premium of $146,000 for the venue that sold the ticket
• The store’s owner is planning renovations as well as bonuses for his team

The Illinois Lottery has another reason to celebrate in August, with the corporation announcing its biggest jackpot to date this year – a $14.6-million win secured by an anonymous winner with a ticket bought at the Crown Mart at 306 E. Broadway in East Saint Louis, Illinois.

The new prize is already larger than the lucky $10.4-million win that was claimed on February 8, 2025, and could very well remain the largest jackpot won in the state this year. Commenting on this exciting development, Ed Hamed, the store manager, said that the community has responded excitedly to the news.

People were ringing in to just congratulate the store, and for a good reason, too! Because of the amount won, the shop is also in for a treat – a $146,000 premium payable to the store thanks to the winning numbers: 5, 9, 14, 18, 22, and 23.

"In my nine years managing this location, this is the biggest winning ticket we’ve ever sold. We are thrilled for the winner and couldn’t be more excited," Hamed added.

While the winner has remained anonymous and details about them claiming the prize have not been clarified in the press release, Hamed is already planning a few things with the bonus himself.

"We’ll put it back into the business—remodel the inside and outside to make it more welcoming for our customers and hopefully attract new ones," he said, excited to use the money to create an even better experience for everyone.

Not only that, but Hamed is also going to offer some further financial incentives to the store’s employees as a thank you to the staff for their support of the store and business.

Image credit: Illinois Lottery