Published on: January 7, 2026, 10:15 AM.
Updated on: January 7, 2026, 10:28 AM.
- The recipient of the $983 million Mega Millions jackpot from November has come forward.
- Opting for the one-time cash payout, the winner received $453.6 million, amounting to $262.7 million after taxes.
- The winner of the $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot in Arkansas has yet to be identified.
The fortunate individual who won the Mega Millions jackpot last November has stepped forward in Georgia.
During the Mega Millions draw on November 14, the winning ticket was sold at a Publix grocery store in Newnan, Georgia, matching the numbers 1, 8, 11, 12, 57, and the gold Mega Ball 7. The payout was an annuitized prize of $983 million or a one-time cash option of $453.6 million, marking the 15th largest lottery win in US history.
On Tuesday, the Georgia Lottery confirmed that the winner opted for the lump sum payment, receiving roughly $262.7 million after all applicable taxes. This jackpot stands as the largest lottery prize ever in Georgia.
“We are excited to celebrate Georgia’s record-breaking jackpot winner and their incredible start to the new year,” stated Gretchen Corbin, President and CEO of the Georgia Lottery.
Corbin emphasized that the monumental jackpot also carries significant benefits for students and communities across Georgia, with lottery proceeds contributing to the state’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Pre-K Program.
Anonymity for the Winner
Under Georgia’s lottery regulations, winners of prizes exceeding $250,000 have the right to remain anonymous indefinitely.
While the winner opted for privacy, they shared some plans with the Georgia Lottery about their newfound wealth. Lottery representatives reported that the winner intends to use the funds to create generational wealth and contribute to worthy causes, expressing gratitude for their ability to give back.
The pre-tax amount of $453.6 million far surpassed the previous state record for a lottery win, which was a $230.6 million share from a Powerball drawing in October 2024.
The Publix location that sold the winning Mega Millions ticket (store #1816 at 4000 N. Highway 29 in Newnan) received a $50,000 retailer bonus from the Georgia Lottery.
Awaiting the Arkansas Winner
As for Arkansas, lottery officials are eagerly anticipating the winner of the $1.817 billion jackpot from Christmas Eve to come forward.
A single ticket sold in Arkansas won the Powerball prize with a cash option of $834.9 million. Winners in Arkansas have 180 days from the draw date to claim their prizes.
Arkansas law also permits winners to remain anonymous for up to three years before their identities are made public. The winning Powerball ticket was purchased at the Murphy USA gas station located inside the Walmart Supercenter in Cabot. The winning numbers for this draw were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, and the red Powerball 19.
This $1.817 billion jackpot was the second-largest lottery win in US history.