Lakeland woman wins $18 million lottery jackpot

A winner finally came forward to claim the $18 million Florida Lottery jackpot from the drawing held last week. 

Florida Lottery announced today that a 57-year-old Lakeland woman is the lucky winner of the huge chunk of change. She purchased her jackpot-winning lotto ticket from a 7-Eleven located at 6175 South U.S. Highway 98 in Lakeland. The retailer received a bonus commission of $90,000 for selling the winning ticket.

Total ticket sales for this jackpot generated more than $15 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, says a spokesperson for the Florida Lottery.

The lucky winner chose to receive her winning as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $13,116,440.45. 

The next drawing will be held tonight, November 9, 2016, at 11:15 p.m. ET, with a $3 million jackpot.