Someone in New Jersey overcame the odds and won the $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot after a winless streak since last December. The winning ticket was purchased at ShopRite Wines & Spirits of Neptune and is the biggest jackpot win in the state’s history. The winner has not yet come forward to claim the prize, but New Jersey allows lottery winners to remain anonymous. The retailer who sold the ticket will receive a $30,000 bonus from the lottery, which will be donated to a local food bank.
The recently won jackpot is the 8th largest in U.S. lottery history, with odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot at 1 in 302.6 million. The prize is for a winner who chooses to be paid through an annuity with 30 annual payments, or a cash payout of $537.5 million. The next big U.S. lottery drawing will be for an estimated $865 million Powerball jackpot, the first time it has been won since New Year’s Day after 36 consecutive drawings without a winner. Mega Millions and Powerball are played in multiple states and territories across the United States.
Richard Saker, the president and chief executive officer of Saker ShopRites, expressed the store’s excitement about selling the winning ticket by donating the $30,000 bonus to Fulfill, a local food bank serving the Jersey Shore. The winning ticket was bought by someone who chose their numbers instead of using the Quick Pick option, making them the first to match all six numbers and win the Mega Millions jackpot in 30 consecutive drawings. The odds of winning such a big jackpot are extremely long, but the winner from New Jersey beat the odds and secured a life-changing prize.
New Jersey is one of 18 states where lottery winners can choose to remain anonymous, following the passing of a law in 2020. The winner of the $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot has the option to claim their prize without revealing their identity to the public. This win marks the largest jackpot in New Jersey’s history and has garnered excitement and attention across the state. The store that sold the winning ticket has generously decided to donate the bonus money to a local food bank, showcasing their commitment to giving back to the community.
The $1.13 billion prize is a significant amount and will be paid out over 30 years through an annuity, though most winners choose to receive a lump sum cash payment. The huge jackpot has attracted national interest, with many eagerly awaiting the next drawing for an estimated $865 million Powerball jackpot. The recent win in New Jersey breaks a streak without a winning jackpot since December and serves as a reminder that big wins are possible, even with long odds. The popularity of Mega Millions and Powerball continues to grow, with players across multiple states participating in hopes of hitting the jackpot.
