Georgia Resident Wins Record $983M Mega Millions Jackpot
A Georgia resident has made history by winning a staggering $983 million Mega Millions jackpot, marking the largest lottery prize ever awarded in the state. This monumental win follows the drawing held on November 14, 2024, and the winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, stepped forward to claim the prize on January 2, 2025.
Details of the Mega Millions Win
The giant jackpot was the eighth-largest in the history of Mega Millions. The winner opted for a cash payout of $453.6 million before taxes. Officials from the Georgia Lottery confirmed that the winning ticket was sold at a Publix supermarket located in Newnan, Georgia.
Impact on Georgia’s Community
The Georgia Lottery revealed that the winner often plays the lottery to support educational initiatives, particularly the HOPE Scholarship, which benefits students and families throughout the state. Gretchen Corbin, the President and CEO of the Georgia Lottery Corp., expressed excitement over the win. She stated, “We are thrilled to celebrate Georgia’s record-breaking jackpot winner.”
- Jackpot Amount: $983 million
- Cash Option: $453.6 million before taxes
- Location of Sale: Publix supermarket, Newnan, Georgia
- Significance: Largest lottery prize in Georgia’s history
- Winning Draw Date: November 14, 2024
- Date Claimant Came Forward: January 2, 2025
Previous Large Jackpots
This remarkable jackpot comes after a lengthy run where the prize accumulated since June 2024. The last significant win in Mega Millions occurred in December 2024, when a player in California won $1.269 billion. The Georgia Mega Millions win also broke records for the month of November.
A Look at Mega Millions Adjustments
In April 2024, Mega Millions changed its game format by increasing ticket prices from $2 to $5. This adjustment aimed to encourage quicker jackpot growth. The starting jackpot was raised from $20 million to $50 million as part of these changes.
The previous record for a Mega Millions jackpot was set in August 2023, when a ticket in Florida won $1.602 billion. The recent Georgia win reaffirms the game’s significance in offering life-changing prizes.
