After nearly nine months of suspense, the winner of the massive $1.128 billion Mega Millions jackpot has finally come forward to claim their prize, CNN reports.
The New Jersey Lottery announced the news today, confirming that the winning ticket was drawn on March 26 at a ShopRite supermarket in Neptune Township. This life-changing prize is the fifth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history, marking a significant moment for lottery players in the state.
The winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, opted for the cash payout of $537.5 million before taxes, rather than the annuity option. New Jersey law, enacted in 2020, allows lottery winners to protect their privacy by keeping their identities out of public records indefinitely. Lottery officials emphasized that it’s not unusual for winners to wait before coming forward to claim their prize, as they have a full year to do so.
The winning ticket has had a significant positive impact on the state. According to lottery officials, the single drawing generated $77 million in ticket sales revenue for New Jersey. Furthermore, the ShopRite that sold the winning ticket will receive a $30,000 bonus commission, recognizing their role in this historic win.
Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday around 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The next drawing is scheduled for Christmas Eve, with the jackpot currently sitting at an impressive $970 million, making it a potentially life-altering holiday for someone.
