A person in Georgia hit it big, winning a $980 million Mega Millions jackpot Friday, the eighth-largest prize in the lottery’s history.
The winning numbers were white balls 1, 8, 11, 12 and 57, along with gold ball 7. The winning ticket was bought at a Publix in Newnan, Georgia, 39 miles southwest of Atlanta where the drawing is typically held at the WSB-TV studios.
In addition to standing No. 8 among Mega Millions jackpots, it’s the largest prize in Georgia lottery history, more than double the $478.2 million Powerball winner there in October 2024.
“We are thrilled to congratulate the largest winner in our state’s history,” Georgia Lottery President Gretchen Corbin said.
The winning player has 180 days to claim the prize and to choose between an immediate lump sum of $452.2 million or a smaller sum followed by 29 annual payments, each 5% larger than the last.
The Mega Millions jackpot is now reset to a base of $50 million ahead of Tuesday’s drawing.
The lottery’s $5 tickets are sold in the nation’s capital, the U.S. Virgin Islands and every state except Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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