After 6 months, New Jersey's $1.13 billion Mega Millions winner remains a mystery
The clock is ticking for the ticketholder to come forward before it expires.
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The winner of a $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot remains a mystery six months after the lucky ticket was purchased at a Monmouth County liquor store.
According to New Jersey Lottery officials, the winning ticket was sold at ShopRite Liquor on Rote 66 in Neptune Township. The drawing took place on March 26, but the jackpot winner still hasn't come forward. Lottery officials say the ticketholder has one year from the date of the drawing to claim the prize before the ticket expires. That means that whoever holds the ticket purchased in Neptune has a little less than six months to come forward before the March 26, 2025 deadline passes.
"While it is not unusual for winners of large jackpots to take their time to file a claim, we do urge all players to check their tickets," The New Jersey Lottery said in a statement.
Lottery officials also recommend that the winner seek both legal and professional advice. A law passed in New Jersey in 2020 allows lottery winners to remain anonymous indefinitely, which will prevent their identities from being included in any documents that are available to the public. Those who hold winning tickets will, however, have to reveal their identities to Lottery officials to claim their prizes. The state of New Jersey will also be provided the winner's name, since state and federal taxes must be withheld from certain jackpots.
"The New Jersey Lottery also shares the identity of winners with other state agencies, and claims are reviewed for collection of unpaid obligations such as child support, student loan arrearages, and back taxes," lottery officials said.
The jackpot was the largest ever won in New Jersey and the fifth largest in American lottery history. It has a cash value of $537.5 million.
The winning numbers for the March 26 Mega Millions drawing were: 07, 11, 22, 29 and 38. The Gold Mega Ball number was 04. The Multiplier number was 02.
Anyone with a gambling problem is urged by the New Jersey Lottery to seek assistance through the Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ by calling the Council’s helpline phone number, 1-800-GAMBLER.
