A single lottery ticket purchased in Georgia has secured the $980 million Mega Millions jackpot, establishing a new record for the state’s largest lottery prize and ending a prolonged period without a top winner.
The winning numbers for Friday night’s drawing were 1, 8, 11, 12, 57, and the Mega Ball 7, culminating in a jackpot that ranks as the eighth-largest in Mega Millions history. This victory breaks a 40-drawing streak without a jackpot winner, the first such claim since a $348 million win in Virginia back in June. The ticket was sold at a Publix supermarket in Newnan, a city situated about 40 miles southwest of Atlanta, as confirmed by the Georgia Lottery.
The fortunate winner now faces a significant decision: whether to accept the $980 million prize through annual payments spread over 30 years or to take a lump-sum cash option of $452.2 million, both amounts being pre-tax estimates. Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin expressed elation, stating, “We are thrilled to congratulate the largest winner in our state’s history.” The store that sold the winning ticket will receive a $50,000 bonus from the lottery for its role in the sale.
This jackpot surpasses the previous Georgia record of $478.2 million, which was won by a Powerball ticket in Buford in October 2024 and split between two individuals who chose the cash option. In Georgia, lottery winners have the right to remain anonymous for prizes of $250,000 or more if they submit a written request for confidentiality, providing a layer of privacy amid the publicity.
The Mega Millions game underwent substantial changes in April 2025, including an increase in ticket price to $5 and a raise in the starting jackpot to $50 million. These adjustments were accompanied by a modification in the odds of winning the jackpot, now set at 1 in 290 million, which is slightly more favorable than before but still represents a minuscule chance. The changes aim to enhance the game’s appeal and generate larger, more frequent jackpots.
In the same drawing, additional prizes were awarded, including a $3 million win for a ticket in Michigan that matched all five white balls with the 3X multiplier. Furthermore, 22 tickets across various states won $20,000 each by matching four white balls and the Mega Ball, demonstrating the broader distribution of prizes beyond the jackpot.
The all-time record for Mega Millions remains the $1.602 billion jackpot won by a single ticket in Florida in August 2023. This recent $980 million win highlights the enduring allure of lottery games and their capacity to produce monumental prizes. Winners typically have 180 days from the draw date to come forward and claim their prizes, during which they must navigate the choices between annuity and lump-sum payments.
As the lottery resets for the next drawing, this event underscores the random chance and massive scale of multi-state lotteries. It also reflects on the economic and social aspects, from retailer incentives to the potential life changes for the winner. The anonymity provision in Georgia offers a safeguard, allowing the winner to manage their newfound wealth away from the public eye.
