Major Win in Georgia
A lucky individual in Georgia has struck it rich, claiming a staggering $980 million Mega Millions jackpot on Friday, marking the eighth-largest prize in the history of the lottery.
The winning numbers drawn were white balls 1, 8, 11, 12, and 57, along with the gold ball 7. The ticket was purchased at a Publix store located in Newnan, Georgia, approximately 39 miles southwest of Atlanta, where the drawing typically takes place at WSB-TV studios.
This jackpot not only ranks as the eighth largest in Mega Millions history but also stands as the biggest prize ever awarded by the Georgia Lottery. It surpasses the previous record set by a $478.2 million Powerball winner from October 2024.
“We are thrilled to congratulate the largest winner in our state’s history,” stated Georgia Lottery President Gretchen Corbin.
The fortunate winner has a period of 180 days to claim their prize and must decide between an immediate lump sum payment of $452.2 million or opting for a smaller initial amount followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year.
The Mega Millions jackpot has now reset to a base amount of $50 million ahead of Tuesday’s drawing.
Tickets for this lottery game are available for purchase across various locations including Washington D.C., U.S. Virgin Islands, and all states except Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.
