RELEASE DATE: 1/6/2026
ATLANTA – Georgia Lottery Corp. President and CEO Gretchen Corbin today announced that the $983 million jackpot winner from the Nov. 14 Mega Millions® drawing came forward Friday, Jan. 2 to claim the largest lottery prize in Georgia history.
The winner selected the cash option, which amounts to $453.6 million before taxes.
Although the winner opted to remain anonymous, as permitted by Georgia law, they shared some special details, including that they are from Georgia and have family members who have benefited from the Georgia Lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Georgia’s record-breaking jackpot winner and their life-changing start to the new year,” Corbin said. “This historic jackpot was also significant for Georgia’s students, families and communities who benefit from HOPE and Pre-K. We congratulate our winner and appreciate the support of our players and retail partners during this exciting jackpot run.”
According to the winner, they play the Georgia Lottery regularly to support HOPE and Pre-K. They saw the big jackpot on a Georgia Lottery billboard, which reminded them to buy the lucky ticket.
When they heard there was a jackpot winner, they checked the Georgia Lottery website for the winning numbers and saw the astonishing results.
The winner plans for the prize to be generational and to give back to good causes. They are thankful to be in a position to give.
Publix #1816, located at 4000 N. Highway 29 in Newnan, sold the lucky Quik Pik ticket. This is also an exciting win for the retailer. Any Georgia Lottery retailer selling a winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket can earn the $50,000 retailer incentive bonus payment.
The historic payout surpasses the previous record held when one Powerball ticket sold in Buford for the Oct. 23, 2024, drawing won a $478.2 million jackpot. Two individuals shared the prize and selected the cash option of $230.6 million.
About Mega Millions
Mega Millions tickets are $5 per play with a multiplier included. Mega Millions tickets can be purchased at Georgia Lottery retailers statewide. Georgia residents with a Georgia mailing address, who are located in Georgia at the time of purchase, can purchase tickets via the Georgia Lottery app or online at www.galottery.com.
Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. (ET).
As with all other Georgia Lottery games, proceeds from Mega Millions will benefit education in the state of Georgia. Media kit and game logos available at the
Georgia Lottery Press Center.
About Georgia Lottery Corporation
Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corp. has returned more than $30.2 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs, including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Pre-K Program. More than 2.25 million students have received HOPE, and more than 2.2 million 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.
For more information on the Georgia Lottery Corp., please visit:
www.galottery.com
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