A lucky individual in New Jersey purchased a single ticket and won the $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot, breaking a winless streak that had lasted since December. The winning numbers were 7, 11, 22, 29, 38, and the gold Mega Ball 4, and the ticket was sold at ShopRite Wines & Spirits of Neptune on the Jersey Shore, making it the largest jackpot win in state history. The winner has not yet come forward to claim the prize, but they have the option to remain anonymous due to a law signed by Governor Phil Murphy in 2020. New Jersey is one of 18 states where lottery winners can keep their identity a secret.
The winning ticket for the record-breaking Mega Millions jackpot was purchased by an individual who chose their own numbers instead of using the Quick Pick option. The retailer who sold the ticket will receive a $30,000 bonus from the lottery, which will be donated to Fulfill, a community food bank serving the Jersey Shore, through ShopRite’s Partners in Caring program. Prior to this win, there had been 30 consecutive drawings without a big winner, highlighting the difficulty of winning the Mega Millions jackpot, with odds of 1 in 302.6 million.
The $1.13 billion jackpot is the 8th largest in U.S. lottery history, and the winner can choose to either receive the prize through an annuity with 29 annual payments or a cash payout of $537.5 million. The next major U.S. lottery drawing will be for an estimated $865 million Powerball jackpot on Wednesday night, which has not been won since New Year’s Day. Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, while Powerball is available in those areas as well as Puerto Rico.
Lottery officials confirmed that the winning ticket was sold with numbers selected by the winner themselves, not through the system’s Quick Pick option. This marks the first Mega Millions jackpot win since December 8, after 30 consecutive drawings without a winner. The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are steep at 1 in 302.6 million, making it a challenging feat to achieve. The magnitude of this win is evident in its ranking as the 8th largest jackpot in U.S. lottery history.
In addition to the record-breaking Mega Millions win, lottery enthusiasts can look forward to another significant jackpot in the form of an $865 million Powerball prize. This jackpot has been growing since New Year’s Day, with no winners in 36 consecutive drawings. The popularity of these lottery games is widespread, with Mega Millions being played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, while Powerball is available in the same areas as well as Puerto Rico. The excitement of these massive jackpots continues to capture the interest of players across the country, offering the possibility of life-changing wins.
