A Georgia resident has claimed a remarkable Mega Millions jackpot estimated at $980 million, marking the eighth largest prize in the history of the game, as announced by the lottery on Saturday. This win represents the first time since December 2024 that a single ticket has secured such a substantial payout; at that time, a California player won a staggering $1.269 billion.
The jackpot had been steadily climbing since the end of June, with the latest drawing occurring on November 14. The lucky ticket holder matched all six drawn numbers: white balls 1, 8, 11, 12, and 57, along with the gold Mega Ball 7. The cash option for this lucrative prize stands at $452.2 million.
This latest win is particularly significant as it represents the largest sum ever awarded in November and the eighth-largest overall in Mega Millions history. The jackpot had gone unclaimed for a record-extending 40 drawings, since the previous win of $348 million in Virginia on June 27, during which there were nearly 14.3 million winning tickets at various prize levels.
In addition to the jackpot winner, the lottery reported that nearly $343.4 million in total non-jackpot prizes were distributed, which included 21 second-tier prizes of $2 million or more across several states, including Florida, New Jersey, and Texas.
Since the format of Mega Millions was altered in April to increase the ticket price from $2 to $5 per play, the starting jackpot was raised from $20 million to $50 million, contributing to faster-growing jackpots. The change is expected to lead to more billionaire jackpots in the future, which has been echoed by experts in the field.
The previous record for the largest Mega Millions jackpot remains a staggering $1.602 billion, claimed in Florida in August 2023. The Georgia winner’s achievement highlights the life-changing potential of lottery games, as many hope for a chance at similar fortune.