McMinnville Man Wins $5.8 Million Oregon’s Game Megabucks Jackpot

Contact:
Patrick Johnson
Communications Consultant, Oregon Lottery
503-540-1037
patrick.johnson@lottery.oregon.gov

August 10, 2021 – Salem, Ore. – A McMinnville man is the latest Oregon’s Game Megabucks jackpot winner, taking home a $5.8 million jackpot. Richard Krohn matched all six numbers for the Monday, July 26 drawing.

“I have been playing these numbers for about year,” Krohn said. “They are a combination of birthdays and anniversaries.”

Krohn said he was a long-time player who faithfully buys a ticket for each drawing, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, however the week he won, he had forgotten to get a ticket.

“Over the weekend I had forgotten to get the Saturday ticket, and we were driving by the 7-Eleven near Linfield (College) and we stopped to get one,” he said. “I’m glad I did!”

Krohn said it is also his routine to check his tickets with his morning coffee, manually looking online and circling the numbers on his ticket.

“I looked at the numbers and then looked again,” he said. “I have the Lottery app, so I scanned the ticket and the screen blew up with stars and balloons!”

He then woke up his wife, shouting, “You have to get up! I got my numbers! I got all of them!”

The morning Krohn found out he’d won, he brought the ticket to the Oregon Lottery headquarters for safe keeping. Players who win jackpot prizes can bring their winning ticket to the Lottery office in Salem to have the ticket validated. The Lottery will then securely hold onto the ticket for up to 60 days while the winners can arrange how best to claim their prize. Krohn said he used the two weeks to talk with an accountant and his attorney before claiming the prize.

Krohn took the prize as a 30-year annuity, to be paid annually and said the couple were still planning on what to do with the prize.

“My wife said she is flying first class from now on, that’s really the only thing we have decided on,” he said.

To protect the health and safety of its employees and the public, the Oregon Lottery has temporarily closed the Salem and Wilsonville Lottery offices. Officials with the Lottery continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely.

Players who have winning tickets of $50,000 or more, will need to make an appointment to come to the Oregon Lottery office in Salem. Call 503-540-1000 for assistance. The Lottery also offers a drop box at the Lottery office in Salem. Players can use the drop box to submit prize claims and will receive their winnings in the mail once the claim has been processed.

Lottery officials recommend that you always sign the back of your tickets with each Oregon Lottery game you play, to ensure you can claim any prize you may win. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $13 billion for economic development, public education, Outdoor School, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org