Georgia Lottery Corp. President and CEO Gretchen Corbin today announced that the $983 million jackpot winner from the Nov. 14 Mega Millions drawing came forward Friday, Jan. 2 to claim the largest lottery prize in Georgia history.
The winner selected the cash option, which amounts to $453.6 million before taxes.
Although the winner opted to remain anonymous, as permitted by Georgia law, they shared some special details, including that they are from Georgia and have family members who have benefited from the Georgia Lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Georgia’s record-breaking jackpot winner and their life-changing start to the new year,” Corbin said. “This historic jackpot was also significant for Georgia’s students, families and communities who benefit from HOPE and Pre-K. We congratulate our winner and appreciate the support of our players and retail partners during this exciting jackpot run.”
According to the winner, they play the Georgia Lottery regularly to support HOPE and Pre-K. They saw the big jackpot on a Georgia Lottery billboard, which reminded them to buy the lucky ticket.
When they heard there was a jackpot winner, they checked the Georgia Lottery website for the winning numbers and saw the astonishing results. The winner plans for the prize to be generational and to give back to good causes. They are thankful to be in a position to give.
Publix #1816, located at 4000 N. Highway 29 in Newnan, sold the lucky Quik Pik ticket. This is also an exciting win for the retailer. Any Georgia Lottery retailer selling a winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket can earn the $50,000 retailer incentive bonus payment.
The historic payout surpasses the previous record held when one Powerball ticket sold in Buford for the Oct. 23, 2024, drawing won a $478.2 million jackpot. Two individuals shared the prize and selected the cash option of $230.6 million.
