On Friday, a ticket sold in Georgia matched all six numbers in the Mega Millions drawing to claim the $980 million jackpot, overcoming odds of 1 in 290.5 million. The winning sequence was 1, 8, 11, 12 and 57 with a gold Mega Ball 7; the lump-sum cash option is $452.2 million before taxes. Lottery officials said the next Mega Millions drawing is set for Tuesday. No winner identity or precise retail location has been publicly confirmed.
Key Takeaways
- The jackpot totaled $980 million; the announced cash option is $452.2 million before taxes.
- The winning numbers were 1, 8, 11, 12 and 57, with Mega Ball 7; matching all six numbers beat odds of 1 in 290.5 million.
- The ticket was sold in Georgia; officials have not released the purchaser’s name or exact point of sale.
- If a winner chooses the annuity, payments are spread over decades; the cash option is a one-time payment.
- This drawing ended a 40-draw streak without a jackpot winner — the longest gap since June 27, a game record.
- Mega Millions tickets cost $5, and the game is offered in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- There were more than 800,000 non-jackpot winners in the Nov. 11 drawing; overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 23.
Background
Mega Millions began in 2002 and has grown into one of the United States’ two largest multi-state lotteries. Tickets are sold across most U.S. jurisdictions and the game’s structure offers both an advertised annuity jackpot and a smaller lump-sum cash option; the latter reflects the prize’s present value. Earlier this year there were four separate Mega Millions jackpot winners, and the series of drawings without a top prize reached 40 before Friday — the longest such streak the game has recorded since June 27.
The U.S. lottery landscape has seen very large jackpots in 2023 across operators: in September, two Powerball players in Missouri and Texas split a near-$1.8 billion prize. Lottery revenues and prize structures vary by jurisdiction; typically, about half of ticket proceeds remain where a ticket is sold, and local laws determine how those funds are allocated. State and local lottery agencies manage sales, claims and disbursement rules in each participating jurisdiction.
Main Event
Friday’s drawing produced the numbers 1, 8, 11, 12 and 57 and Mega Ball 7, which matched a single Georgia ticket to the jackpot. Mega Millions officials confirmed the match and reiterated that the winner may elect an annuity spread over multiple years or take the stated one-time cash payment of $452.2 million before taxes. Officials also noted that if multiple tickets had matched all six numbers, the advertised jackpot would be divided among winners; in this case, the prize was not reported as shared.
The drawing concluded a long run of rollovers that elevated the prize to $980 million. Ticket sales that fuel such jackpots are distributed across many jurisdictions, but only the specific jurisdiction where the winning ticket was sold handles verification and initial claims processing. Winners generally must present an intact ticket and complete claim forms, and jurisdictions set deadlines and identification requirements for payouts.
Lottery offices typically withhold taxes for large prizes and provide winners with guidance on financial, legal and tax planning. The cash option is smaller than the advertised annuity because it reflects the immediate, invested value of the total payout; annuity figures assume scheduled growth and disbursement over time. The next drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, when new ticket sales will compete for an advertised jackpot reset after this win.
Analysis & Implications
A single large jackpot win can produce multiple short- and long-term effects. Immediately, the winning ticket will spur local interest in Georgia retail outlets and renew public attention on lottery regulations and tax treatment for large prizes. States that rely on lottery revenue for education and public programs may see temporary surges in marketing and ticket sales, though studies show larger jackpots do not always sustain higher long-term participation.
For the individual winner, the choice between annuity and lump-sum has significant tax and investment implications. The annuity spreads payments, potentially reducing immediate tax burdens and providing a steady income stream, while the cash option gives liquidity but subjects the full amount to current income tax rates and immediate financial decisions. Financial planners typically advise winners to consult tax professionals, estate planners and financial advisors before claiming.
On a systems level, long rollovers and headline-grabbing jackpots raise policy questions about advertising, problem gambling mitigation, and the allocation of lottery proceeds. Regulators and public officials often balance revenue goals against consumer protection measures, including spending on problem gambling resources. The National Council on Problem Gambling warns that anyone who gambles can be at risk of developing harmful behavior and urges jurisdictions to fund support services accordingly.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Advertised jackpot | $980,000,000 |
| Cash (one-time) option | $452,200,000 |
| Odds of jackpot | 1 in 290,500,000 |
| Game launch | 2002 |
The table above places the core figures for the recent Mega Millions win in context: the advertised annuity is larger than the immediate cash option, reflecting the annuity’s value if paid over time. The 1-in-290.5-million odds underline how unlikely a jackpot hit is, even though the game yields many smaller prizes (overall odds of any prize are roughly 1 in 23). Historically, this $980 million prize ranks among the larger Mega Millions jackpots, though it is not in the game’s top 10 most valuable jackpots.
Reactions & Quotes
“Gambling behavior that is damaging to a person or their family, often disrupting their daily life and career.”
National Council on Problem Gambling
The National Council on Problem Gambling provided its standard definition to underline the public-health dimension of high-profile lottery events and the need for support services. Advocacy groups often use jackpot news to remind winners and players to seek help if gambling becomes harmful.
“A Mega Millions player in Georgia matched all six numbers to win the jackpot,”
Mega Millions officials (statement)
Lottery officials supplied the basic facts of the win while withholding identifying details pending claim verification. Officials also re-emphasized standard claim procedures and timelines that winners must follow in the claimant’s jurisdiction.
Unconfirmed
- The identity of the Georgia ticket purchaser has not been publicly released and remains unconfirmed.
- It is not yet confirmed whether the winner will choose the annuity or the cash option; that choice can affect timing and tax treatment of the payout.
- Precise retail location within Georgia where the winning ticket was purchased has not been verified by officials at the time of reporting.
Bottom Line
Friday’s Mega Millions drawing produced a rare single-ticket hit that turns a $980 million advertised jackpot into a headline-grabbing event for Georgia and the broader lottery market. The immediate cash option of $452.2 million will be taxable and the final payout details will depend on the winner’s claim and choice between annuity or lump sum. State and local agencies will handle verification, withholding and distribution of related funds according to jurisdictional rules.
Beyond the individual prize, the win will likely prompt renewed public attention on lottery revenue uses and on resources for problem gambling. Observers and policymakers will watch any subsequent changes in ticket sales, marketing emphasis and support funding for gambling services as the aftermath of the prize claim unfolds.
Sources
- AP News (news outlet, original report)
- Mega Millions (official game operator)
- National Council on Problem Gambling (nonprofit, problem-gambling resources)
- Georgia Lottery Corporation (official state lottery agency)