A Georgia Native Becomes the State's Biggest Lottery Winner with a $983 Million Mega Millions Jackpot

A New Record for Georgia

As we ushered in the new year, one individual managed to leave an indelible mark on Georgia's history. The Georgia Lottery announced that a single ticket holder had come forward to claim the grand prize of the $983 million Mega Millions jackpot. This mammoth win isn't just a personal achievement for the winner but also sets a new record for being the largest lottery prize ever won in the state of Georgia.

The lucky winner, who had purchased their life-changing ticket back in November 2025, decided to start 2026 on an incredibly high note. Just two days into the new year, they presented their winning ticket to Georgia Lottery officials, thereby sealing their place in history.

Choosing Cash Over Annuity

When faced with the choice between taking home the full amount via annuity or opting for a cash lump sum, our record-breaking winner chose the latter. The cash option amounted to $453.6 million. According to USA Mega's Mega Millions Jackpot Analysis, after all tax deductions, which includes Georgia's state tax of 5.09% on lottery winnings, the winner will receive approximately $262.7 million.

By claiming their fortune in 2026, the winner managed to save around $400,000 on state taxes as compared to if they claimed it in 2025 when Georgia had a higher flat state tax rate of 5.19%. The fact that they have chosen this year for their big reveal will allow them to enjoy their winnings with a little extra cash in their pocket.

Under Georgia state law, lottery winners of prizes over $250,000 have the right to remain anonymous. So, the identity of this monumental winner is likely to remain a well-kept secret. However, they did share some personal insights with Lottery officials for the public's interest.

A Noble Cause Behind Their Regular Play

The winner disclosed that they regularly participate in the lottery to support the Georgia Lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship and Pre-K education. They revealed that their family members have directly benefited from the HOPE Scholarship, which provides financial aid and tuition assistance for Georgia residents who maintain high academic standards and attend eligible colleges.

On that fateful day in November 2025, when they saw a billboard advertising the $983 million jackpot, they decided to try their luck with the Mega Millions draw. The excitement peaked when they heard about a winner being from Georgia, and disbelief took over when they discovered that they were the sole holder of the winning ticket that matched all six numbers. The winning numbers for the Nov. 14 Mega Millions drawing were 1, 8, 11, 12, and 57, with Mega Ball number 7.

When asked about their plans for this historic prize money, the winner expressed intentions of converting these winnings into generational wealth and contributing towards charitable causes. "They are thankful to be in a position to give," explained Lottery officials.

The Publix grocery store on North Highway 29 in Newman, which sold this jackpot-winning Quick Pick ticket, was also rewarded with a $50,000 bonus commission from the Lottery.

This record-breaking win surpasses Georgia's previous largest lottery prize of $478.2 million Powerball jackpot drawn on Oct. 23, 2024. This was shared between two winners who opted for the cash option of $230.6 million. As the anonymous winner basks in their newfound wealth, they can take pride in the knowledge that their win has etched a new record in Georgia's lottery history.