Check your pockets!
The winner who purchased a $1.13 billion Mega Millions ticket at a New Jersey liquor store in March has still not claimed the state’s largest prize ever, according to lottery officials.
The life-changing jackpot is the fifth largest in Mega Millions history. The ticket, which has a cash value of $537.5 million, was purchased at a ShopRite Liquor store on Route 66 in Monmouth County.
But no winner has come forward in the months since.
“The $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot from Tuesday, March 26, that was won by a single ticket in Neptune, New Jersey, remains unclaimed at this time,” The New Jersey Lottery said in a statement on Tuesday.
Richard Saker, owner of Saker ShopRite, is presented a check from New Jersey Lottery Executive Director James Carey in March. Doug Hood / USA TODAY NETWORK
The $1.13 billion prize has yet to be claimed. Getty ImagesThe winning numbers were 7, 11, 22, 29, 38, and the gold Mega ball was 4.
The jackpot swelled to over a billion dollars after 31 consecutive drawings without a winner.
The ShopRite Liquor store received a $30,000 prize for selling the ticket.
Instead of the one-time $537.5 million lump sum cash payment, the winner also has the option to accept the full prize in installments over 30 years.
New Jersey Lottery recommended that the unknown winner “sign the ticket, make copies of it, contact professional and financial advisors” and call them to file a claim.
Garden State winners by law are permitted to remain anonymous, however, those who win more than $600 must provide their identity to lottery officials in order to claim their prize.
Lottery officials also share the winner’s identity with state agencies to ensure claims are reviewed for “unpaid obligations” like child support, loans and back taxes.
