Nine months after the winning numbers were drawn, the winner of the fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot in history has stepped forward to claim their prize.
The anonymous winner has submitted the $1.128 billion ticket to begin the collection process, according to NBC New York. The ticket, purchased at a ShopRite in Neptune, New Jersey, matched all six numbers: 7, 11, 22, 29, 38, and the Gold Mega Ball 4, including a two-time multiplier. This historic win marks New Jersey’s largest lottery prize and the ninth-largest in U.S. history.
For selling the winning ticket, the ShopRite store has been awarded a $30,000 bonus. Richard Saker, CEO of Saker ShopRites, expressed pride in the store’s role in the momentous event, stating, “It’s amazing to think how lucky we are to be the store that sold this ticket. It’s 1 in 302 million; that’s the chance of winning this lottery.”
Saker also announced that the $30,000 bonus would be donated to the ShopRite Partners in Caring program, benefiting Fulfill, a local food bank that serves Monmouth and Ocean counties.
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The jackpot grew from a series of rollovers beginning in late 2023, with the winning drawing taking place on March 26. New Jersey winners have up to one year to claim their prize, but it remains unclear why the winner waited so long. Experts often advise winners to consult with legal and financial advisors before coming forward.
“This is a historic moment for the New Jersey Lottery and Mega Millions players across the country,” said James Carey, Executive Director of the New Jersey Lottery. “We hope the winner uses this incredible fortune to improve their life and the lives of others.”
The winner, who manually selected the winning numbers, opted for a lump-sum cash payout of approximately $537.5 million before taxes, NJ.com reports. New Jersey law allows lottery winners to remain anonymous, a right exercised by the winner. However, they were required to verify their identity with lottery officials.
In September, another lucky Mega Millions winner from Texas claimed an $800 million jackpot. The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302.6 million.
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