After months of speculating about the identity of the winner, a fortunate lottery player in New Jersey has finally come forward to claim a huge $1.12 billion Mega Millions jackpot.
The winning ticket, which was purchased at ShopRite Liquor #781 in Neptune Township, was the fifth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history because it matched all six of the drawing's numbers on March 26.
A flat sum payment of $537.5 million before taxes would be given to the winner, who has opted to remain nameless.
After 31 straight drawings without a winner, this jackpot became the first Mega Millions prize to be won in 2024. In addition to the gold Mega Ball 4 and a 2x multiplier, the winning numbers were 7, 11, 22, 29, and 38.
"The Mega Millions Consortium's lead director, Gretchen Corbin, congratulated the New Jersey Lottery on selling a jackpot-winning ticket in Tuesday's $1.128 billion Mega Millions drawing."
"During this thrilling jackpot run, we celebrate our new jackpot winner, all the prizes won, and the money raised for worthy causes."
There was a great deal of interest and conjecture in New Jersey and elsewhere because of the delay in claiming the award. Players were invited by lottery officials to look over their tickets and come forward in order to claim the reward that might change their lives.
Even if the winner's identity is kept a secret, this amazing bit of luck surely changes their life forever. Since the state of New Jersey benefits from lottery sales, the prize is certain to bring in a sizable sum of money.