Huge $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot won in NJ

💲A winning ticket for Tuesday's Mega Millions was drawn in New Jersey

💲New Jersey law allows winners to remain anonymous

💲Wednesday's Powerball drawing has another chance at a huge jackpot

UPDATE: 'I'm sick' — NJ Mega Millions win not easy to swallow for locals

The ticket that won the estimated $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot in Tuesday’s drawing was sold in New Jersey.

The multi-state lottery game had gone without a jackpot winner for more than 30 drawings since Dec. 8. The winning numbers drawn were white balls 7, 11, 22, 29 and 38, plus the gold Mega Ball 4. It is the fifth-largest jackpot in the game’s history.

It is the largest lottery prize ever won in New Jersey and the state’s first Mega Millions jackpot winner since 2018 when Richard Wahl of Vernon won a jackpot worth $533 million.

ALSO READ: How much of that $1.13 billion will NJ's big lotto winner keep?

The jackpot has a cash value of $537.5 million.  Mega Millions in a statement said the final jackpot amount will be determined once sales from all 47 participating states are finalized.

ALSO READ: NJ governor just raised the cost of gas and owning an EV

Where was the ticket sold?

The New Jersey Lottery said the ticket was sold at the ShopRite liquor store on Route 66 in Neptune Township. The store will be given a $30,000 bonus check for selling the ticket.

Lottery officials said the winner picked the numbers and it was the only set of numbers on the ticket. He chose the annuity option for a payout.

What to do now?

If you are holding the winning ticket, financial planner Lou Scatigna, also known as The Financial Physician, says the first thing you should do is sign your winning ticket. He advises taking a picture of both sides and putting it in a safe place before taking it to lottery headquarters.

Then, shut up about your good fortune, Scatigna told New Jersey 101.5.

"A lot of times you'll see people on TV three days after they win. That's probably the biggest mistake you can make because you're not mentally prepared for the onslaught of press you're going to get as well as people who want to take advantage of your fortune," Scatigna said.

The spotlight will also bring unwanted calls from financial advisors, people looking for investors in their business, stock brokers and lawyers all looking for your money.

"The key here is to surround yourself with a great accountant, a great financial planner and a great lawyer that have experience with things like this to make sure you're counseled properly and you don't do anything without vetting it through your personal committee," Scatigna said.

ALSO READ: NJ mayors get pushback for wanting to get tough on young crime

No one has to know

Winners in New Jersey also have the option to remain anonymous and completely out of the spotlight.

A bill signed in 2020 by Gov. Phil Murphy requires the state to keep the identity of prizes over $600 private, including documents that come under the state's Open Public Record Act.

Winners are still responsible for all state and federal taxes. The state will share the winner's identity with state agencies to check for unpaid obligations such as child support and taxes.

There's another shot at a large jackpot with Wednesday night's Powerball drawing. The game's fifth-largest jackpot of an estimated $865 million ($416.1 million cash) will be up for grabs.

Dino Flammia contributed to this report

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