One man, not pictured, directed $1 million of his winnings toward 420 Day, an annual event supporting marijuana legalization.Thomson Reuters
- An Illinois resident claimed a winning Mega Millions ticket worth $1.28 billion on Friday.
- Winning a giant sum of money can open up a world of possibilities, for a new house to a giant charity donation.
- For some past lottery winners, it has also meant building a water park, starting a professional women's wrestling organization, or even gambling it all away.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
An Illinois resident–whose identity has not been revealed–is likely pondering the question right now, after having claimed a winning Mega Millions ticket worth $1.28 billion on Friday.
Hitting the jackpot can open a world of possibilities for lottery winners, who may finally be able to buy a new house, find a new job they are passionate about, or create an organization focused on a cause they care for.
However, landing the jackpot can also take a turn for the worst. In fact, many lottery winners end up blowing it all.
Here are the first things 14 different lottery winners splashed their cash on.
Kathleen Elkins and Matthew Michaels contributed to previous versions of this story.