A winning Mega Millions ticket worth $1.13 billion from the March 26, 2024 drawing has finally been claimed in New Jersey, nearly nine months after the drawing. The winning numbers were 7, 11, 22, 29, 38, with Mega Ball 4.

The winner, who chose to remain anonymous under New Jersey law, opted for the lump sum cash payment of $537.5 million instead of the 30-year annuity. After federal taxes of 37% ($198.8 million) and state taxes of 10.75% ($57.8 million), the winner will take home approximately $280.9 million.

The winning ticket was purchased at ShopRite in Neptune Township, which received a $30,000 bonus for selling the ticket. The store donated their bonus to local food banks.

This jackpot ranks as the ninth-largest cash lottery prize in U.S. history and the sixth-richest in Mega Millions history. The odds of winning were one in 302.5 million.

New Jersey's 2020 law allows lottery winners of prizes over $600 to remain anonymous indefinitely, protecting their privacy and excluding their identity from public records. Winners of amounts under $600 must still provide their identity to lottery officials to claim their prize.

The next Mega Millions drawing offers an advertised jackpot of $944 million ($429.4 million cash option).

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