New Jersey became the site of a historic win on Tuesday night as the first Mega Millions jackpot of 2024, valued at $1.13 billion, was claimed by a lucky ticket holder. The winning numbers – 7, 11, 22, 29, 38, and Mega ball 4 – secured this massive prize, making it the 5th largest jackpot in the history of the lottery.
This windfall offers the new billionaire two options for receiving their prize: either in annual payments totaling $1.13 billion or a one-time lump sum estimated at $537.5 million. The odds of clinching such a victory in the Mega Millions stand at 1 in 302,575,350, emphasizing the sheer magnitude of this win.
Aside from the jackpot winner, there were thirteen other players across various states who matched all five white balls, each walking away with a $1 million prize. This exciting turn of events marks the first Mega Millions jackpot win since December 8, when two tickets in California matched the numbers for a substantial $395 million pot.
Notably, the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever recorded was a staggering $1.602 billion, secured by a fortunate individual in Neptune Beach, Florida, back in August 2023. Opting for a lump-sum payment, the winner received $794,248,882 – a life-changing sum.
With such astronomical odds at play, the news of a Mega Millions jackpot win never fails to captivate the public’s imagination, offering a glimpse into the life-changing possibilities of lottery luck. As the excitement of this $1.13 billion prize continues to unfold, the world waits in anticipation for the next big winner to step forward and claim their fortune.