Late Friday night, one lucky ticket purchased in Georgia struck gold, literally. In the Mega Millions drawing held on November 14, a single ticket matched all six numbers and secured an estimated $980 million jackpot, marking the biggest prize ever claimed in the state. (Mega Millions)
The winning ticket was sold at Publix #1816, located at 4000 N. Highway 29 in Newnan, around 40 miles southwest of Atlanta. The fortunate store will receive a retailer bonus for selling the jackpot‑winning ticket, and local officials are celebrating a windfall for the community.
Officials at the Georgia Lottery Corporation noted that the numbers drawn were 1‑8‑11‑12‑57 and Mega Ball 7. The odds of winning the jackpot: a staggering 1 in 290.5 million.
For the winner this moment is life‑changing: they can choose the full annuity payout or a one‑time cash option of about $452.2 million before taxes. Meanwhile the jackpot resets for the next drawing on Tuesday.
This win ends a record‑length drought: the draw on November 14 was the 40th since the last jackpot win, setting a new high for the game. Georgia now claims the largest jackpot win in its history thanks to this ticket. While the identity of the winner remains anonymous for now, excitement is already swirling among Newnan residents and the wider Georgia lottery community. The broader impact of this win. How the winnings are claimed, the choices the winner makes, and how the region celebrates, is yet to unfold.