The $1.1 billion Mega Millions jackpot finally has a winner 9 months later

On By Littum

The jackpot was claimed as another Mega Millions jackpot, worth an estimated $944 million, could give one lucky ticket holder a Christmas miracle.

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One lucky person in New Jersey is about to get a whole lot richer.

A lottery player has emerged as the winner of a Mega Millions jackpot worth more than $1 billion that went unclaimed for nearly nine months, according to the New Jersey Lottery.

The Mega Millions jackpot was worth $1.12 billion, the fifth highest in the game’s history, according to the New Jersey Lottery. The player, who chose to remain anonymous, will take home $537.5 million before state and federal taxes.

The jackpot, the first won in 2024, was claimed nine months after it was won on March 26. There were 31 consecutive Mega Millions drawings without a winner before the lucky ticket was sold.

The winning white ball numbers were 7, 11, 22, 29 and 38 with the gold Mega ball 4 and a multiplier of 2x, the lottery said.

The highest Mega Millions jackpots: Top 10 list as prizes approach $1 billion

Where was the ticket purchased?

The ticket was purchased at ShopRite Liquor #781 in Neptune Township, New Jersey.

“Congratulations to the New Jersey Lottery for selling a jackpot-winning ticket in Tuesday’s $1.128 billion Mega Millions drawing,” Gretchen Corbin, head of the Mega Millions Consortium, said in a statement about the Mega Millions win. “We’re celebrating our new jackpot winner, as well as all the prizes won and dollars raised for good causes during this exciting jackpot run.”

What would have happened if the Mega Millions jackpot was not claimed?

If the winner had not claimed the jackpot prize, each state participating in the Mega Millions game would have received back all the money it contributed.

States use their unclaimed lottery prizes for various purposes, but unclaimed prize money typically remains in a state’s lottery fund.

In New Jersey, where the March jackpot was won, lottery sales are a contributing factor to the pension funds of their public employees. The people who would benefit from an uncollected ticket are teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public servants. lottery said.

What is the current Mega Millions jackpot worth?

The Mega Millions The jackpot reached an estimated $944 million ahead of the Christmas Eve drawing, according to the lottery. It is the seventh highest jackpot in the history of the game.

If a ticket wins the jackpot in the next drawing, it will be the second ticket won on Christmas Eve, according to a Mega Millions news release. The first Christmas Eve jackpot was worth $68 million and was won in New York.

When is the next Mega Millions drawing?

The next drawing is on Tuesday Christmas Eve at 23 A.M

What are the top 10 Mega Millions jackpots?

According to the lottery, the following jackpots are top 10 jackpots has been won per December 21:

  1. 1.602 billion dollarsAugust 8, 2023; a Florida player
  2. 1.537 billion dollarsOctober 23, 2018; a South Carolina player
  3. 1.348 billion dollarsJanuary 13, 2023; a Maine player
  4. 1.337 billion dollars29 July 2022; an Illinois player
  5. 1.128 billion dollarsMarch 26, 2024; a New Jersey player
  6. 1.050 billion dollars22 January 2021; a Michigan player
  7. 810 million dollarsSeptember 10, 2024; a Texas player
  8. 656 million dollarsMarch 30, 2012; a player from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland
  9. 648 million dollarsDecember 17, 2013; a player from California and Georgia
  10. 552 million dollarsJune 4, 2024; an Illinois player

How to play Mega Millions

To buy a ticket, visit your local convenience store, gas station, or grocery store—and in a handful of states, you can buy tickets online.

To play, select six numbers. Five numbers will be white balls from 1 to 70. The Gold Mega Ball is a number between 1 and 25.

If you think the odds are against you, ask for a “Quick selection“or one”Easy choice,” The computer will randomly generate the numbers for you.

Players can add “Megaplier” for $1, which can increase non-top prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. Megapliers are drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday.

There are 15 Megapiler Balls in total:

  • 2X, five balls
  • 3X, six balls
  • 4X, three balls
  • 5X, one bullet

Where can I buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and convenience stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online viaJackpocket, the official digital lottery courier from the USA TODAY Networkin these US states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, DC and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and claim your winnings all from your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn money for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visitjackpocket.com/tos for full terms.