ATLANTA — The winning $980 million Mega Millions ticket was sold in Georgia.
A single ticket sold in Newnan, Georgia, matched the five numbers, plus the Mega Ball, according to Mega Millions.
The Quik Pick ticket was sold at Publix #1816, which is located at 4000 N. Highway 29 in Newnan.
Friday’s winning numbers were 1-8-11-12-57, Mega Ball 7.
The jackpot winner has the option to take the cash lump sum of $452.2 million or an annuity, which is paid out in one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments increasing by 5% every year.
This would be the largest ever single payout in Georgia history, according to Mega Millions. The previous record was held when a Powerball ticket sold in Buford, Georgia won a $478.2 million jackpot. Two people shared that prize and selected the the cash option of $230.6 million.
Its the eighth-largest winning Mega Millions jackpot. The jackpot has been growing since it was last won in Virginia on June 27.
Earlier this year, Mega Millions changed the game, slightly increasing the odds but also upping the cost of a ticket to $5, up from $2. The jump in revenue improved the odds of winning from improve the odds from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million.
It’s also a lucky day for Publix: the store that sells the winning jackpot ticket can earn a $50,000 retailer incentive bonus payment.
Mega Millions winners have 180 days from the draw date to claim prizes in Georgia.
We may never know the record-setting Mega Millions winner. That’s because Georgia is one of several states that allow winners to remain anonymous.
The Mega Millions jackpot will reset to $50 million. The next drawing is Tuesday.
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