Anonymous Player Claims $202,000,000 Mega Millions Jackpot

RELEASE DATE: 9/29/2020

TRENTON – New Jersey Lottery winners have the right to remain anonymous due to a new law passed in January 2020 (NJ S2267). This February, just one month later, a lucky Mega Millions player in New Jersey hit the Mega Millions jackpot and had an opportunity no others in the state had before – the chance to remain completely anonymous.

The Mega Millions jackpot winner, who declined publicity, claimed the $202,000,000 Mega Millions jackpot from the February 11, 2020, drawing.

On Wednesday, February 12, New Jersey Lottery announced that a $202,000,000 jackpot-winning ticket was sold in New Jersey for the prior night’s drawing. The player mentioned that they first saw this announcement that day on Facebook and went to their car to check the lucky ticket. The winner, completely shocked, managed to compose themselves enough to get back to work while they gathered their thoughts and made a plan.

Later that day, NJ Lottery held a press conference where Executive Director James Carey presented Quick Stop Food Store with a $30,000 bonus commission check for selling the winning ticket. At the press conference, Carey offered some advice for the unknown winner-to-be, wherever they might be. “We always tell people when you win – sign the back of that ticket right away. Then put it in a safe place, talk to an attorney, talk to a financial advisor, and come to us and claim that ticket,” Carey advised at the press conference.

The winner, overwhelmed with the good news and unsure what to do next, watched the press conference live on Facebook and diligently took notes. That lucky player immediately signed the ticket and went to a lawyer, who confirmed the steps they should take to handle this massive prize properly.

The winning ticket was sold at Quick Stop Food Store on 940 Inman Ave. in Edison, Middlesex County. Congratulations to this lucky New Jersey Lottery player!

Media contact: New Jersey Lottery Public Information Office, (609) 599-5875