The Powerball jackpot has reached $1.7 billion for the drawing on December 24th. A Mega Millions winner from Georgia won $980 million in November 2025, but their identity remains unknown over a month later as the vetting process continues.
As the lottery frenzy continues with the Powerball jackpot at 1.7 billion for Wednesday Dec. 24 or Christmas Eve players may be wondering what happened to the near-1 billion Mega Millions winner from Georgia? Just over a month ago Mega Millions drawings were rolling over and increasing in prize to the tune of a cool 980 million. Finally one lucky ticket scored the perfect number combination just before the Thanksgiving holiday. A Publix grocery store in Georgia sold the winning ticket that matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball in the Friday Nov. 14 2025 Mega Millions drawing. Final sales pushed the total to 983 million according to the Georgia Lottery. Below is what we know about the 983 million Mega Millions winner and the ticket that was purchased from a Publix in Georgia. A day after the record-setting Mega Millions drawing the Georgia Lottery announced where the winning ticket was purchased and in what city. As of Tuesday Dec. 23 2025 more than a month after the 980 million Mega Millions lottery drawing it is not known who was the winner of the 983 million Mega Millions grand prize. The vetting process typically takes a few weeks according to organizations like the California Lottery. The 980 million Mega Millions ticket was sold at Publix 4000 N. Highway 29 Newnan Georgia for the Friday Nov. 14 2025 Mega Millions lottery drawing. It was a quick pick ticket. The Georgia Lottery said the store received a 50 000 commission for selling a near-1 billion winning Mega Millions lottery ticket. Retail bonuses vary by state for example two Publix stores in Florida received 100 000 each during previous billion-dollar jackpots. In California retailers get 1 million. Mega Millions jackpot winners have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prizes per Georgia Lottery rules. In this case the 980 million Mega Millions winner from Friday Nov. 14 2025 drawing has until Wednesday May 13 2026 to claim their prize in person at Georgia Lottery headquarters. Lottery rules vary by state. In Florida for example Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners have 60 days to claim the one-time lump sum and six months from the date of the drawing for the annual payments. In California it is public record to know who won a Mega Millions Powerball or California Lottery drawing where the winning ticket was sold and whether the winner claimed the prize in lump sum or 30 annual payments. The sole jackpot winner could claim 980 million over 30 annual payments or take a one-time lump sum valued at nearly 452.2 million before federal taxes. The winning numbers for the Mega Millions drawing on Friday Nov. 14 2025 were 1-8-11-12-57 and the Mega Ball was 7. The Georgia jackpot winning ticket wasn't the only lucky ticket. A ticket purchased in Michigan matched 5 plus the 3X Multiplier for a 3 million prize. Mega Millions tickets start at 5 apiece. Georgia Lottery rules state a winner could come forward via a corporation partnership or trust. Groups families clubs or organizations can designate one individual or legal entity to receive a prize payment or if the prize amount won is 5 001 or greater individual prize payments (of 601 or greater) can be made to each group member up to 25 members. If the 980 million Mega Millions winner in Georgia claims the prize as a corporation or trust that could help keep their anonymity. In some states a winner has to come forward with their name city of residence and whether the cash option or full amount was chosen like California. According to Florida Lottery's website winners cannot remain anonymous Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide records containing information such as the winner's name city of residence; game won date won and amount won to any third party who requests the information. However the site states the names of lottery winners claiming prizes of 250 000 or greater will be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed unless otherwise waived by the winner. Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper