The months-long suspense surrounding one of 2025’s biggest lottery prizes in the United States has finally ended. And, Georgia has officially reclaimed its place on the Mega Millions map in spectacular fashion. A single Mega Millions ticket purchased in Georgia matched all six winning numbers in Friday’s high-stakes draw. The owner of the ticket is now one of the richest lottery winners in the state’s history after winning the $980 million jackpot
According to CBS, lottery officials confirmed that the winning ticket was sold at a Publix supermarket in Newnan city and it matched all five white balls plus the Mega Ball. The jackpot carries an estimated cash value of $452.2 million, making it one of the largest prizes ever awarded by the Georgia Lottery.
Moreover, the win wasn’t just life-changing for the player but the store is cashing in too. Publix will receive a $50,000 retailer bonus from the Georgia Lottery for selling the jackpot-winning ticket, CNN reported quoting lottery officials.
“We are thrilled to congratulate the largest winner in our state’s history,” Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin said in a statement. She called the moment “historic” for Georgia’s gaming system. Before this, the state’s biggest win came from a $478.2 million Powerball jackpot in October 2024, shared by two winners.
Mega Millions drought ends
With Friday night’s blockbuster win, the US state now boasts 17 Mega Millions jackpot winners. The win also ended an eight-year drought that had left hopeful players waiting for their next big moment.
The last time Georgia celebrated a Mega Millions victory was back in January 2017, when ADirectConnection LLC claimed an $83 million jackpot from a November 2016 drawing. Since then, the state had watched from the sidelines as winners emerged elsewhere.
The newest jackpot holder, whose identity remains a mystery, has become the first Mega Millions player to match all six numbers since an anonymous Virginian took home a $348 million prize on June 27.
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET, attracting millions of hopeful players chasing life-changing outcomes. The largest Mega Millions jackpot ever remains the astonishing $1.602 billion prize won on August 8, 2023, by a single ticket in Florida.
How to receive the money?
With the jackpot now officially claimed, the newest Mega Millions winner faces a defining financial decision. The winner can opt for a ‘cash’ option where a one-time lump sum of $452.2 million will be awarded to them. The second option is a 30-year payout, beginning with an immediate payment and followed by 29 annual installments, each increasing by 5%.