Anonymous ShopRite customer becomes instant millionaire after lucky in-store purchase – the chances were slim

A LUCKY individual is set to become rich after winning $1 million from a singular grocery store purchase.

The unknown shopper bought a lottery ticket at a ShopRite in New Jersey last week.

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The ticket was worth $1 million and was sold for the Friday, July 26 drawing at a ShopRite store in Mercer County, according to a local New Jersey outlet .

It was a lucky Mega Millions ticket that won the individual this hefty sum.

Friday’s winning numbers were 2, 14, 33, 58, and 65.

The Mega Ball drawn was 3 with a Megaplier of 3x.

The Megaplier feature increases non-jackpot prizes by 2,3,4 or 5 times and it costs players just $1 more.

The second-prize from Friday’s drawing matched five numbers but not the Mega Ball, according to lottery officials.

There was another $1 million ticket sold on Friday, in Illinois.

It seems that no one in the US managed to hit the $306 million jackpot.

This pushed yesterday’s Mega Millions drawing up to an estimated $331 million.

There was also a cash option of $156.9 million.

Players have a 1 in over 12,600,000 chance of their ticket matching five numbers – but not the Mega Ball – and winning a minimum of $1 million.

BIG WINS

While this unclaimed $1 million is a huge sum of money , past lottery players have won much more.

Edwin Castro , a Los Angeles mechanic, became the biggest lottery winner in the US after winning the $2.04 billion Powerball Jackpot in November 2022 .

Castro took home a lot less than this due to taxes, but still managed to bank over $600 million.

Top lottery winners in the US

Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.

• Edwin Castro – $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
• Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
• Unknown winner – $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
• Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
• Unknown winner – $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
• Unknown winner – he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
• Unknown winner – $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
• Cheng and Duanpen Saephan , and Laiza Liem Chao – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
• Yanira Alvarez – $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
• Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
• Unknown winner – $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.

Other large lottery wins have been recorded in South Carolina, Florida and California.

One player won over $1.5 billion from a Mega Millions jackpot in 2018.

This winning ticket was bought in South Carolina at KC Mart.

Their identity, however, has never been revealed, as lottery winners in the state are allowed to remain anonymous .

The unknown player came close to losing their winnings, leaving it an entire year before they came forward.

Players usually have between 90 days and a year to take their prize money.

But lottery officials often issue warnings encouraging players to check their tickets incase they are the lucky winners.

Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?

Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?

The two payout methods can impact how much money you get from your prize.

Annuities pay out slowly in increments, often over 30 years.

Lump sums pay all at once but in a smaller amount, as taxes are withheld in one go. That means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam right away. Many states tax winnings as well.

Annuities can provide winners time to set up the financial infrastructure required to take in a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the benefit of being taxed only once.

Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts do not adjust with the value of a dollar. That means that you’ll likely be getting less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.

Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.

Experts have varying opinions on whether to take the lump sum or take the annuity .

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