Mega Millions Winner Comes Forward, Takes Cash Option on $983 Million Jackpot

Posted on: January 7, 2026, 10:15h. 

Last updated on: January 7, 2026, 10:28h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • The winner of the $983 million Mega Millions jackpot in November has come forward
  • The winner chose the one-time cash option of $453.6 million, which came to $262.7 million after taxes
  • The winner of the $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot in Arkansas remains outstanding

The lucky winner of last November’s Mega Millions jackpot has come forward in Georgia.

Mega Millions jackpot Georgia Powerball
A Georgia Lottery kiosk is pictured inside a Walmart Supercenter in Augusta. The winner of the November 14 Mega Millions jackpot worth $983 million has come forward, though they aren’t making their identity public. (Image: Shutterstock)

During the November 14 Mega Millions drawing, a single ticket sold at a Publix grocery store in Newman, Ga.matched the winning numbers of 1, 8, 11, 12, 57, and the gold Mega Ball 7. The ticket won an annuitized prize of $983 million or a one-time cash option of $453.6 million. The prize marked the 15th richest lottery prize in the history of the United States.

On Tuesday, the Georgia Lottery announced that the winner had redeemed the generation-changing windfall and went with the lump cash choice. The winner netted approximately $262.7 million after paying federal and state taxes. The award is the largest lottery prize in Georgia’s history.

We are thrilled to celebrate Georgia’s record-breaking jackpot winner and their life-changing start to the new year,” said Gretchen Corbin, president and CEO of the Georgia Lottery.

Corbin said the historic jackpot was also significant for students, families, and communities in Georgia, as proceeds from the lottery benefit the state’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Pre-K Program.

Winner Remains Anonymous 

Georgia’s lottery law allows winners of prizes above $250K to remain anonymous. Their anonymity is permanent.

Though the winner wished to retain their confidentiality, they did provide the Georgia Lottery with some insights on how they plan to use the cash. Lottery officials say the winner plans “to be generational” with the money, meaning saving it for future generations. The winner also plans to “give back to good causes,” and they’re “thankful to be in a position to give.”

The $453.6 million pre-tax cash prize easily topped the previous record for the richest lottery prize in Georgia, a $230.6 million share of a Powerball jackpot in October 2024.

The Publix grocer that sold the winning Mega Millions ticket, store #1816 at 4000 N. Highway 29 in Newnan, received a $50K incentive bonus from the Georgia Lottery.

Arkansas Officials Wait

In Arkansas, the lottery is anxiously awaiting the winner of the $1.817 billion jackpot won on Christmas Eve to come forward.

A single ticket sold in Arkansas hit the Powerball prize that came with a cash option of $834.9 million. The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery gives winners 180 days from the date of the draw to redeem their prize.

Arkansas’ lottery law additionally allows winners to remain anonymous for three years before their identities become public record. The winning Powerball play was sold at the Murphy USA gas station at the Walmart Supercenter in Cabot. The winning numbers were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, and the red Powerball 19.

The $1.817 billion lottery jackpot was the second-largest win in US history.