The winner of New Jersey’s $1.13 billion jackpot finally claims the prize

CNN
—

There will soon be a life-changing payday for one lucky New Jersey Lottery winner.

The winner of a $1.128 billion Mega Millions jackpot has finally come forward to claim their staggering windfall nearly nine months since the ticket was drawn, according to a New Jersey Lottery press release.

Lottery officials say the impressive prize is the fifth-highest in the game’s nearly three-decade history.

The winning coupon was drawn on March 26 at a ShopRite supermarket in the coastal town of Neptune, according to the Lottery.

Like many other lottery winners, the lucky ticket holder has chosen to receive a cash prize of $537.5 million before federal and state taxes are taken out, lottery officials say.

The player “values ​​privacy” and has chosen to remain anonymous, according to the lottery, thanks to a law passed in 2020 that allows lottery winners to hide their identity in public records indefinitely. Officials say it’s not uncommon for winners to wait to come forward to claim their prize, since they have a full year to do so.

The state of New Jersey raised $77 million in ticket sales from this drawing, and the ShopRite that sold the winning ticket will receive a $30,000 bonus commission.

Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday around 11:00 PM ET. The next draw is on Christmas Eve – and the jackpot is at 970 million dollars – the ultimate holiday bonus!