The winner of the $1.128 billion Mega Millions jackpot finally claimed their prize nine months later.
An unidentified player from New Jersey purchased the winning ticket for the March 26, 2024, Mega Millions drawing at a ShopRite grocery store in Neptune and opted to take the pre-tax cash value of more than $537 million, NJ.com reports. The ticket matched the five white ball numbers of 7, 11, 22, 29 and 38, and the number 4 Gold Ball.
New Jersey state law allows lottery winners to remain nameless for as long as they wish, however, they must prove their identity to lottery officials to claim their prize. The $1.128 billion Mega Millions drawing on March 26, 2024, was the fifth largest drawing in the game's history and the ninth largest in U.S. lottery history.
The next Mega Millions drawing will take place on Tuesday (December 24) and is estimated to be worth $970 million ($439.9 million cash option), which is the seventh highest drawing in the game's history and the 12th highest in U.S. lottery history.
The Mega Millions jackpot reset after a single ticket sold in Texas matched all six numbers during the estimated $800 million Mega Millions drawing on September 10.