Largest lottery jackpot ever won in the Garden State
Updated with retailer that sold the winning ticket
By Todd Northrop
After a run of 30 drawings without a jackpot winner, the 31st drawing of the multi-state Mega Millions game produced a single $1.13 billion winner last night when one lottery ticket sold in New Jersey matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball.
It was the 10th time a lottery jackpot had grown to more than $1 billion, and the ninth time a single ticket won $1 billion or more.
For New Jersey, it is by far the largest lottery jackpot ever won in the state. The previous record-holder in the state was almost exactly six years ago, on Mar. 30, 2018, when one ticket sold in New Jersey won a $533 million Mega Millions jackpot. The jackpot was later claimed by Richard Wahl, a production manager at a northern New Jersey food services facility.
The winner of the unimaginable haul from last night's drawing will choose between being paid $1.13 billion in 30 annually-increasing payments over 29 years or the lump-sum cash value of $525.8 million.
The whopping jackpot is the 8th-largest the world has ever seen, and the 5th-largest in Mega Millions game history.
According to USA Mega's Mega Millions Jackpot Analysis, after all taxes are paid, the winner either will receive $591.7 million by the end of 29 years, or $280.9 million in cash all at once. New Jersey has one of the highest state taxes in the country, forcing lottery winners to shell out a whopping 10.7% of their prize for the privilege of winning in the state.
However, both annuity and cash jackpot values are still estimates, and according to a statement released by the Mega Millions group, the actual number may turn out to be larger once all sales are accounted for.
Per New Jersey law, the winner has one year from the date of the drawing to come forward to claim the prize.
The winning ticket was purchased at ShopRite Liquor #781, located at 2200 Route 66 in Neptune Township. At a ceremony to be held at noon today, the retailer will be presented with a check for $30,000 for selling the winning ticket.
The Mega Millions winning numbers for Tuesday, March 26, 2024, were 7, 11, 22, 29, and 38, with Mega Ball number 4. The Megaplier was 2.
It's hard to imagine the winner getting much sleep Tuesday night, as they try to process winning such an unimaginably huge lottery jackpot awarded to a single ticket — the one they're holding in their hand.
Millions of lottery players in the USA and around the world are wondering what they are planning to do with all that loot.
What is the first thing you would do?
The public will likely never find out the identity of the winner, as New Jersey passed a lottery winner anonymity law in 2020.
Lottery Post maintains a list of every state's anonymity policies for lottery winners, and Lottery Post published a comprehensive video presentation about each state's anonymity laws.
Fortunately, even if you didn't win the jackpot, the Mega Millions game still offers another 8 ways to win lower-tier prizes.
In addition to the jackpot winner, 13 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from California, 1 from Colorado, 2 from Florida, 2 from Georgia, 1 from Illinois, 1 from Indiana, 1 from Michigan, 3 from New York, and 1 from Ohio.
Only one of the second prize-winning tickets — the ticket sold in New York — was purchased with the Megaplier option for an extra $1, multiplying their prize to $2 million because the Megaplier number 2 was drawn.
The California second prize winner will claim a prize of $1,058,180 because unlike all the other Mega Millions states, California awards all prizes on a pari-mutuel basis, meaning the prizes will change each drawing based on the number of tickets sold and the number of tickets that won at each prize level.
171 tickets matched four white numbers plus the Mega Ball and won $10,000. Of those tickets, 34 were purchased with the Megaplier option, increasing the prize to $20,000, and 24 were sold in California, where the prize was $6,108 this drawing.
In total, nearly 3.7 million tickets won prizes across the game's nine prize tiers in Tuesday's drawing. Apart from the jackpot, there were $34 million in prizes awarded last night.
A complete list of payouts for all prizes and the official drawing video can be found at USA Mega's Mega Millions Drawing Information page, as well as at Lottery Post's Mega Millions Prize Payouts page.
The record-holder for the world's largest lottery jackpot was a $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot in Nov. 2022, won by a single ticket sold in California. The incredibly lucky winner was Edwin Castro, who claimed the prize in February of 2023, providing minimal public information about himself. What little is known about Castro comes from public filings, and includes the purchase of a house or two, as well as being the subject of dubious lawsuits that are unfortunately predictable these days.
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302.6 million.
With the jackpot being won Tuesday, the next Mega Millions annuity jackpot estimate for Friday's drawing is reset to its starting point of $20 million.
Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 45 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. Tickets cost $2 each.
The Mega Millions winning numbers are published at USA Mega (www.usamega.com) minutes after the drawing takes place.
Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time
Tuesday's $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot stands as the 8th-largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States — and the world.
The current $865 million Powerball jackpot is also highlighted below, illustrating the target lottery players will next turn their attention to.
- Powerball: $2.0401 billion, Nov. 7, 2022 (40 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
- Powerball: $1.7649 billion, Oct. 11, 2023 (35 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
- Mega Millions: $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023 (31 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Florida
- Powerball: $1.5864 billion, Jan. 13, 2016 (19 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018 (25 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023 (25 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Maine
- Mega Millions: $1.337 billion, Jul. 29, 2022 (29 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Illinois
- Mega Millions: $1.13 billion, Mar. 26, 2024 (30 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - New Jersey
- Powerball: $1.0798 billion, Jul. 19, 2023 (38 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
- Mega Millions: $1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021 (36 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Michigan
- Powerball: $865 million, Mar. 27, 2024 (36 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $842.4 million, Jan. 1, 2024 (34 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Michigan
- Powerball: $768.4 million, Mar. 27, 2019 (25 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Wisconsin
- Powerball: $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Massachusetts
- Powerball: $754.6 million, Feb. 6, 2023 (33 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Washington
- Powerball: $731.1 million, Jan. 20, 2021 (35 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Maryland
- Powerball: $699.8 million, Oct. 4, 2021 (40 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
- Powerball: $687.8 million, Oct. 27, 2018 (21 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Iowa, New York
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 (18 rollovers, starting at $12 million) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Mega Millions: $648 million, Dec. 17, 2013 (21 rollovers, starting at $12 million) - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $632.6 million, Jan 5, 2022 (39 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California, Wisconsin
- Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 (13 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Florida
- Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 (15 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $564.1 million, Feb. 11, 2015 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Powerball: $559.7 million, Jan. 6, 2018 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - New Hampshire
For those keeping score, the number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 17
- Mega Millions: 8
Top 25 cash value jackpots
The Tuesday Mega Millions jackpot ranks as the 11th-largest cash value in world history.
- Powerball: $997.6 million cash, Nov. 7, 2022 ($2.0401 billion annuity) - California
- Powerball: $983.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2016 ($1.5864 billion annuity) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $877.8 million cash, Oct. 23, 2018 ($1.537 billion annuity) - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $794.2 million cash, Aug. 8, 2023 ($1.602 billion annuity) - Florida
- Mega Millions: $780.5 million cash, Jul. 29, 2022 ($1.337 billion annuity) - Illinois
- Mega Millions: $776.6 million cash, Jan. 22, 2021 ($1.05 billion annuity) - Michigan
- Powerball: $774.1 million cash, Oct. 11, 2023 ($1.7649 billion annuity) - California
- Mega Millions: $723.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2023 ($1.348 billion annuity) - Maine
- Powerball: $558.1 million cash, Jul. 19, 2023 ($1.0798 billion annuity) - California
- Powerball: $546.8 million cash, Jan. 20, 2021 ($731.1 million annuity) - Maryland
- Mega Millions: $525.8 million cash, Mar. 26, 2024 ($1.13 billion annuity) - New Jersey
- Powerball: $496 million cash, Oct. 4, 2021 ($699.8 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $480.5 million cash, Aug. 23, 2017 ($758.7 million annuity) - Massachusetts
- Powerball: $477 million cash, Mar. 27, 2019 ($768.4 million annuity) - Wisconsin
- Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Powerball: $450.2 million cash, Jan. 5, 2022 ($632.6 million annuity) - California, Wisconsin
- Powerball: $425.2 million cash, Jan. 1, 2024 ($842.4 million annuity) - Michigan
- Powerball: $416.1 million cash, Mar. 27, 2024 ($865 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $407.2 million cash, Feb. 6, 2023 ($754.6 million annuity) - Washington
- Powerball: $396.2 million cash, Oct. 27, 2018 ($687.8 million annuity) - Iowa, New York
- Powerball: $384.7 million cash, Nov. 28, 2012 ($587.5 million annuity) - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $381.1 million cash, Feb. 11, 2015 ($564.1 million annuity) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Mega Millions: $378 million cash, Jul. 8, 2016 ($536 million annuity) - Indiana
- Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $352 million cash, Jan. 6, 2018 ($559.7 million annuity) - New Hampshire
The number of cash value jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 17
- Mega Millions: 8
There are two wonderful folks in New Jersey that I hope won this. That's right...Todd & Kate.
I wish, but not me. Still waiting to find out where it was sold.
That was going to be my next question!
We still have Powerball tonight.
you're in north of trenton, right. There was a ticket sold in that area a couple years ago., mini mart.
whats funny is that there are three part of new jersey and people laugh about it. north, central, south.
$2
Just updated the story with the retailer that sold the winning ticket. They are already receiving a bonus check today!
Neptune, Nj has the big winner.
WOW! Was stationed @ Ft. Monmouth, NJ after Deutschland. Apartment three blocks from the ocean in Long Branch. My church moved to Neptune from Asbury Park right after I PCS'D to Ft. Knox, KY.
Public Announcement !!!!
Dear LP members, can we please meet at the Powerball Tent at 12 noon. The PB tent is right next to the Mega Millions stand.
Thank you. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I matched one number in the MM draw.
Onward we go.
Congrats to the winner or winners !
It's the..
The ShopRite it was just announced on nj 101.5
Thank you.
Was thinking that the brand new Publix in KY that I'd be lucky in Kentucky like they are in Florida. Not one #!!
They just said it was not a QP ticket & it was a one board ticket. Congrats to the winner!
Ok Todd..!!
Whutta ya gonna do wit all that money?...We know YOU won it..!!
Yeah I betcha Todd & Kate won it but he's stalling claiming his prize due to the fact that he's scrounginging around his house searching for change for the meter at lottery headquarters.
Congrats to the winner. Even though New Jersey has some of the highest state taxes, at least they've passed a law guaranteeing anonymity. I think at the end of the day, I'd be ok handing over an extra 1%-2% playing in a state that doesn't force me to jump through hoops to conceal my identity. And who knows, maybe the winners tax payment will go into filling a couple potholes in New Jersey.
7 and 11 both picked in most recent draws of MM and PB.
And you know what that means ..... 11 + 7 = 18 and 11 - 7 = 4 and 18 + 4 = 22 and 18 - 4 = 14. And 22 + 14 = 36 and 22- 14 = 8.
So in essence what have we learned?
We have learned that today is the day after yesterday and the day before tomorrow!
Class dismissed
Dear Dad, writing from the Cayman Islands.... Just kidding, was wishing it was you.
Congrats to whomever it is.
Public service announcement:
Remember ...... eat your veggies and fruits
drink plenty of water
exercise regularly
don't smoke
Do these 4 basic things and you may live long enough to win a big jackpot someday.
Congratulations to winner least wasn't California or Florida 🎈🍾🥂
New Jersey, eh? Hold on, it will be a bumpy ride. Way way bigger than Tipton. You will all be bowled over. It will lead to the demise of MegaMillions Lottery and serious scrutiny and auditing of Powerball. May take a while but serious clinks of cuffs are coming.
!!!Lottery Players of America WAKE-UP!!!
What are you implying that Senator Menendez "won" last night?
Dum dum dum dum
OK, I'll bite.
Bumpy ride for WHAT?
Wake up to WHAT?
Who's getting"bracelets"?
Finally, what have you been drinking/smoking/shooting in your arm?
Winning numbers: #7-11-22-29-38 and mega ball 4
Didn't he post something similar last year? Most people who claim to be "in the know" typically are not.
I do not understand why these lottery conspiracy people play the lottery.
At least it not California nor New York is OK ....
I'll go out on a limb here and bet this whole post and everyone on it that there will either be a winner tonight or there won't be a winner tonight.
P.U. who fed the fed the dogs the beans?
"Finally, what have you been drinking/smoking/shooting in your arm?"
Peaked your interest? Why would you want answers from someone who's been drinking, smoking and shooting up?
Just curious. I figured you wouldn't answer the first 3 questions. Make claims without any proof, or backup.
Golfer in the house!!!!
All the way from NJ (Monmouth County).
Unfortunately, it wasn't me.
I'm so sad....
Back to work.
isn't a bonus check only handed out if the prize is claimed? (ISTR something along those lines)
Ok I don't know if anyone else is thinking the same as me but isn't anyone else finding this suspicious that the last 4 or 5 jackpots have hit on over the one billion mark?
The girl that sold the ticket =119/47
new jersey = 119-47
the jackpot was 1.13 same as the last selection process of joe biden/ trump. they will be rematch of the 60th selection.
Always New Jersey ,California,Florida and Texas. Congrats to the new Billionare
5593 = 119 x 47
166 = 119 + 47
35539162193006864078380684167960246481279234143715140949106517914404221178453157612910426250359239 = 119 ^ 47
in conclusion, the lottery is a conspiracy to make people practice arithmetic.
tbh, i didn't think there was any conspiracy either until i started typing like this.
That's funny!
Huh??? Lol
cinjo59 writes in an annoying large font. view the site on desktop. you may need to rub your eyes afterward.
Lol OK. All the text looks the same on my phone.
What is a desktop? Jk lol lol
Easter Tide
John 13:14
A great thing about the mobile version of LP is you can't see the loony bin fonts. Impact is 1000 times worse than Comic Sans.
Lol lol
"isn't a bonus check only handed out if the prize is claimed? "
I'm pretty sure that's how it works in some states, but not all of them. I've never understood why a retailer should get paid thousands of times as much for selling one ticket than any other ticket, but if they're going to do it at all I don't see why collecting the prize matters. The retailer sold the ticket and the lottery collected their share, so the retailer is being penalized because the player died, forgot, or lost the ticket.
"A great thing about the mobile version of LP is you can't see the loony bin fonts. "
If you think any of the limited selection available here are loony bin fonts you should get out into the world and see some of the choices that aren't available here.
I wonder if Mega rolls on Friday...if it will be the smallest increase since Powerball is so high....?