A lucky player in Georgia has won the staggering **$980 million** Mega Millions jackpot, making headlines after the numbers were drawn on **November 11, 2023**. The winning combination consisted of **1, 8, 11, 12, 57**, with the gold Mega Ball being **7**. This victory came against steep odds of **1 in 290.5 million**, highlighting the rarity of such a monumental win.
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for **Tuesday**, where hopeful players will have another chance to try their luck. The jackpot winner has the option to choose between an annuity, which pays out over 30 years, or a cash option of **$452.2 million** as a one-time, lump-sum payment before taxes. Should there be multiple winners, the jackpot would be shared among them.
This win marks a significant moment in the Mega Millions history, as it was the **40th drawing** since the last jackpot was won on **June 27**, setting a new record for the game. Earlier this year, there were four jackpot winners, but none since that June date. In a related context, two players from Missouri and Texas also made headlines in September when they won a combined total of nearly **$1.8 billion** in the Powerball lottery, one of the largest jackpots in U.S. history.
While the **$980 million** Mega Millions jackpot is not among the top ten largest lottery jackpots in U.S. history, it does rank as the **eighth-largest** prize since the game’s inception in **2002**. The Mega Millions lottery offers additional prizes, with a total of over **800,000** non-jackpot winners recorded from the November 11 drawing. The odds of winning any prize in the game stand at **1 in 23**.
Tickets for the Mega Millions are priced at **$5** each and are available in **45 states**, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A notable aspect of the lottery is that half of the proceeds from each ticket remains in the jurisdiction where it was sold. Local lottery agencies manage the game, and how profits are allocated is determined by law.
In light of the thrill associated with lottery games, it is essential to address the potential for gambling addiction. The **National Council on Problem Gambling** defines problematic gambling as behavior that can harm the individual or their family, often disrupting daily life and work. This condition, sometimes referred to as gambling addiction or gambling disorder, is recognized as a mental health issue. The Council emphasizes that all individuals who gamble may be at risk for developing such problems.
As the excitement continues around the Mega Millions lottery, players are reminded of both the potential rewards and the risks associated with gambling.
