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Mount Vernon Today
By the People, for the People
Illinois Lottery Player Wins $1.498M Cash Castle Jackpot
The winning ticket was purchased at a Hucks gas station in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
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An Illinois Lottery player has won a massive $1,498,172 jackpot from the FastPlay Cash Castle game. The winning ticket was purchased at a Hucks gas station in Mount Vernon, Southern Illinois. The store will receive a $14,982 bonus, or 1% of the prize amount, for selling the winning ticket.
Why it matters
The record-breaking Cash Castle jackpot win highlights the excitement and life-changing potential of the Illinois Lottery's FastPlay games, which offer instant gratification and the chance to become an instant millionaire. The win also provides a boost to the local Mount Vernon community, with the Hucks gas station earning a significant bonus for selling the winning ticket.
The details
The Cash Castle is a progressive FastPlay game offered by the Illinois Lottery, starting at a $100,000 jackpot and increasing with each ticket sale until a winner is found. Unlike traditional lottery games, FastPlay games do not require players to pick numbers or scratch off tickets - the results are instantly revealed upon purchase. The winning $1,498,172 ticket was purchased at the Hucks gas station located at 540 Fairfield Rd. in Mount Vernon.
- The winning ticket was purchased on February 19, 2026.
The players
Hucks
A gas station located at 540 Fairfield Rd. in Mount Vernon, Illinois, where the $1.498 million winning Cash Castle ticket was purchased. The store will receive a $14,982 bonus, or 1% of the prize amount, for selling the winning ticket.
Illinois Lottery
The state lottery organization that offers the progressive FastPlay Cash Castle game, which features a starting jackpot of $100,000 that increases with each ticket sale until a winner is found.
What’s next
The lucky winner has one year from the draw date to claim their prize. The Illinois Lottery encourages the winner to sign the back of their ticket and store it in a safe place until they are ready to claim their prize.
The takeaway
This record-breaking Cash Castle jackpot win demonstrates the excitement and life-changing potential of the Illinois Lottery's FastPlay games, which offer instant gratification and the chance to become an instant millionaire. The win also provides a boost to the local Mount Vernon community, with the Hucks gas station earning a significant bonus for selling the winning ticket.
