UPDATE: An anonymous Georgia resident has stepped forward to claim the staggering $983 million Mega Millions jackpot, marking it as the eighth-largest in the game’s history. The life-changing prize was confirmed on January 2, 2025, following the drawing held on November 14, 2024, according to the Georgia Lottery.
This jackpot is not only the largest ever won in Georgia but also a significant milestone for the state, with the winner opting for the cash option of $453.6 million before taxes. The lottery has revealed that the winner has family members benefiting from the Georgia Lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship, emphasizing the positive community impact of this win.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Georgia’s record-breaking jackpot winner and their life-changing start to the new year,” stated Gretchen Corbin, President and CEO of the Georgia Lottery Corp. “This historic jackpot was also significant for Georgia’s students, families, and communities who benefit from HOPE and Pre-K.”
The winning ticket, a Quick Pick sold at a Publix supermarket in Newnan, Georgia, was purchased after the winner noticed the escalating jackpot on a billboard. After the drawing, they confirmed their win by checking the Georgia Lottery website. The winner has expressed a desire to make the prize “generational” while contributing to “good causes.”
The excitement surrounding this win comes at a time when many Americans are reassessing their financial goals for 2025. With nearly half of Americans feeling financially behind, this jackpot could inspire others to dream big amid budget concerns.
The $983 million prize marks the largest jackpot ever won in November and follows a record-breaking streak. The last major win occurred in December 2024 when a ticket sold in California won a staggering $1.269 billion.
Notably, this Mega Millions jackpot had been building since June 2024 when a single ticket matched all six numbers in the drawing. The lottery’s recent format change, which raised ticket prices from $2 to $5, has been credited with accelerating jackpot growth, raising the starting jackpot from $20 million to $50 million.
Lottery officials confirmed that retailers selling winning tickets receive a $50,000 incentive bonus. The Georgia Lottery has experienced a surge in ticket sales, with nearly 14.3 million winning tickets across all prize levels during the 40 drawings since the jackpot was last won.
As the dust settles on this monumental win, all eyes are now on the potential impact of this prize on the local and state economy. The Georgia Lottery continues to encourage players, emphasizing the community benefits derived from ticket sales.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the lottery winner embarks on a new chapter of life with their substantial winnings.
