1.13 B Mega Millions Ticket Purchased In Neptune Still Unclaimed
The 1.13 Billion dollar Mega Millions winning ticket that was purchased at Shoprite Wine & Spirits on Route 66 in Neptune, New Jersey back in March of this year, has still gone unclaimed.
The jackpot is the biggest NJ lottery prize in the history of the Garden State. It also happens to be the 5th largest lottery prize in Mega Millions history, and the 9th largest in the United States.
If you’re keeping track, the winning numbers drawn on March 26, 2024 are: 7,11,22,29. &38 and the Mega ball was 4.
It turns out that whoever purchased the winning ticket chose the numbers themselves rather than using the Quick Pick option which generates the numbers automatically via computer.
Why Hasn’t The Winner Come Forward?
There could be several reasons. The winner may not have checked their ticket. It happens. Sometimes I let tickets sit in my pocketbook for a few months before it dawns on me to check them.
The winner could be paralyzed with fear, even 4 months after the drawing. Perhaps the person or persons holding the winning ticket haven’t found the right lawyers or financial advisors yet.
The New Jersey Lottery suggests that anyone with a winning ticket sign it, make a few copies, contact legal professionals and financial advisors, and call the NJ Lottery at 1-800-222-0996.
Winners of lottery prizes have a year to cash in a winning ticket before it expires. New Jersey State law allows winners to remain anonymous, thank goodness.
According to information in the Daily Voice, If the winner chooses the 30-year annuity, it will start with a $16 million payment in the first year. Payments would increase by five percent until the final payment of about $69 million is paid out in the 30th year.
The cash option gives an immediate payout of $530 million. Executive director James Carey said many jackpot winners tend to prefer the cash option over an annuity.
The Neptune ShopRite donated its $30,000 bonus to the Fulfill food bank in Neptune, which supports people in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Fulfill is also the organization that benefits from our annual live multi day broadcast events that happen just before Thanksgiving. 95.9 WRAT’s “Broadcast For The People”, and 100.1 WJRZ’s, “Share The Joy.”
That’s where both radio stations ask our listeners to help fill a couple of 40-foot Pepsi tractor trailers with non-perishable food items along with pet food, and other assorted needs for the community.
WRAT’s broadcast happens the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving in the parking lot of the Neptune Shoprite where the winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased.
WJRZ’s live broadcast happens the Friday & Saturday before Thanksgiving in the Shoprite on Fischer Blvd in Toms River.
