The winner of the $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot sold in New Jersey nine months ago has finally stepped forward to claim the record prize nine months after the drawing, lottery officials announced Monday.
The big Mega Millions winner, however, has chosen to remain anonymous, as permitted under New Jersey’s law. The jackpot is the fifth highest in Mega Millions history and the largest won in New Jersey.
The Mega Millions ticket was sold for the March 26 drawing at the ShopRite liquor store on Route 66 in Neptune Township. Winners have up to 12 months to claim prizes.
The winner elected to receive the cash value of $537.5 million before state and federal taxes.
The mystery winner bought only one Mega Millions ticket and manually chose the winning numbers — meaning the player didn’t use the Quick Pick option that randomly generates numbers.
Officials held a press conference at the store a day after the drawing with the owners saying they planned to donate their $30,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket to charity. The employee who sold the winning ticket said she didn’t know who the winner is.
The winning numbers for that Tuesday, March 26 drawing were: 7, 11, 22, 29 and 38. The Mega Ball drawn was 4 with a Megaplier of 2X.
Winners in New Jersey have been allowed since 2020 to remain anonymous.
The Mega Millions jackpot is nearing $1 billion again. The estimated jackpot for Tuesday’s drawing is $970 million with a cash option of $439.9 million
