A player from Georgia won the $980 million Mega Millions Jackpot prize. The winner matched all six numbers. Find out which numbers were drawn and what the payout options are.
Atlanta/Washington — A major winner was revealed Friday night in America’s popular lottery game, Mega Millions Jackpot. A ticket sold in Georgia won a record prize of $980 million. Officials confirmed this, saying this is the first time a player has won this jackpot since June 27.
Mega Millions Jackpot Winning Numbers
The numbers drawn Friday night were 1, 8, 11, 12, and 57, while the gold Mega Ball number was 7.
According to lottery officials, the winner matched all six numbers exactly, a staggering probability of only 1 in 290.5 million. This is considered an extremely rare achievement, and it’s why Mega Millions continues to be a topic of discussion around the world.
Officials said the next drawing will take place on Tuesday, with the new jackpot to be announced.
Two Options for the Mega Millions Jackpot Winner
The winning player has two options:
- Annuity Plan: This pays out in installments over 30 years.
- Cash Option: The winner can take a lump sum, which this time is set at $452.2 million (before taxes).
If multiple people win the jackpot, the amount is divided equally among all winners. This time, this did not happen, and a single ticket from Georgia was declared the winner.
Where does this win stand in the history of the Mega Millions Jackpot?
According to officials, this prize is the eighth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history. However, it is not among the top 10 US lottery wins of all time.
Earlier in September, Powerball awarded two players in Missouri and Texas a whopping $1.8 billion in prizes.
This is Mega Millions’ fifth jackpot winner in 2025, while Friday’s drawing was the 40th consecutive drawing without a jackpot winner, a new record for the game.
Non-Jackpot Winners Also Became Owners of Millions
In addition to the jackpot, the Mega Millions game also offers several smaller prizes, with a 1 in 23 chance of winning.
More than 800,000 players won both large and small prizes in the November 11th draw.
In the US, this lottery is available in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the US Virgin Islands.
Each ticket costs $5. Half of the funds from sales go to local states, which are used by their respective governments in accordance with the law.
The Mega Millions Jackpot and the Rising Gambling Addiction
Playing the lottery is certainly exciting, but experts agree that this habit can sometimes lead to a serious addiction.
The National Council on Problem Gambling describes it as a condition that impacts a person’s personal and family life.
It is also classified as a mental health problem, a gambling disorder.
If an individual or family is experiencing difficulties due to addiction, the National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700 is available for assistance. This helpline provides direct access to local resources and counseling.