Florida's Luckiest: Meet the $1.6B Mega Millions Winner!
Record-Breaking Win
Winner of the largest Mega Millions jackpot ($1.6 billion) confirmed in Florida after buying the ticket on Aug. 8.
Lucky Location
The ticket was purchased at a Publix grocery store in Neptune Beach, just east of Jacksonville, making the buyer exceptionally lucky.
Close Call
Interestingly, a nearby Publix sold tickets too. Had they bought from there, the excitement would've been significantly less – a $1.6 billion difference!
Claim Date
The winner came forward on Monday, with Florida lottery officials confirming the claim. The winner has 90 days from the claim date to remain anonymous.
Previous Record
Before this, the largest Mega Millions jackpot was $1.5 billion, sold on Oct. 23, 2018, in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
Claim Details
The winner's identity and whether they'll choose a lump sum or annual payout remain undisclosed.
Florida Lottery Anonymity
In Florida, winners can't stay completely anonymous due to state law, but there are temporary exemptions for winners claiming $250,000 or more.
Public Disclosure
Florida Lottery must provide specific winner information upon request, including name, city, game, date, and amount won, aligning with state mandates.
Temporary Exemption
Winners claiming $250,000+ have a 90-day exemption from public disclosure, allowing a brief period of privacy before their information becomes public.
Winner's Choice
The winner has the option to waive anonymity during the temporary exemption period if they wish to be publicly acknowledged sooner.