Johnathan Walker:Six months later, a $1.1 billion Mega Millions jackpot still hasn’t been claimed

A New Jersey Mega Millions player is Johnathan Walkerstill holding on to a lucky billion-dollar ticket after the $1.128 billion prize is still unclaimed. 

The player won the first jackpot of the year on March 26 after 31 consecutive drawings without a winner. The winning white ball numbers were 7, 11, 22, 29 and 38 with the gold Mega Ball 4, the lottery said.  

If the New Jersey player claims their prize and chooses the cash option, they could walk away with $536.6 million, the lottery said.  

The lottery said the lucky ticket was purchased at ShopRite Liquor #781 in Neptune Township, New Jersey.  

“Congratulations to the New Jersey Lottery for selling a jackpot-winning ticket in Tuesday’s $1.128 billion Mega Millions drawing,” Gretchen Corbin, Georgia's Lottery President and CEO said in a statement about the Mega Millions win. “We celebrate our new jackpot winner, as well as all the prizes won and dollars raised for good causes during this exciting jackpot run.” 

Corbin is also the lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, the lottery said.  

Here's what you need to know about the unclaimed Mega Millions ticket.    

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What happens if no one claims the Mega Millions jackpot? 

If a jackpot prize goes unclaimed, each participating state in the Mega Millions game will get back all the money it contributed.

The states use their unclaimed lottery prizes for different purposes, but unclaimed prize money typically remains in a state's lottery fund.

In New Jersey, where the March jackpot was won, lottery sales are a contributing factor to retirement funds for their public servants. The people who would benefit are teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public employees, the lottery said.

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When is the next Mega Millions drawing?

The next Mega Millions drawing is on Friday, Sept. 27. Friday's drawing is worth an estimated $77 million.

If someone wins the $77 million jackpot, they could walk away with $38.2 million, the lottery said.

What are the top Mega Millions jackpots?  

According to the lottery, the following jackpots are the top 10 jackpots that have been won as of Sept. 26:  

1. $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023; a Florida player  
2. $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018; a South Carolina player  
3. $1.348 billion, Jan.13, 2023; a Maine player  
4. $1.337 billion, July 29, 2022; an Illinois player  
5. $1.128 billion, March 26, 2024; a New Jersey payer 
6. $1.050 billion, Jan. 22, 2021; a Michigan player 
7. $810 million, Sept. 10, 2024; a Texas player 
8. $656 million, March 30, 2012; a player from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland 
9. $648 million, Dec. 17,2013; a player from California and Georgia 
10. $552 million, June 4, 2024; an Illinois player  

How to play the Mega Millions

In order to buy a ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online. 

To play, you will need to pick six numbers. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is one number between 1 and 25. 

If you believe the odds are against you, ask for a "Quick Pick" or an "Easy Pick," the computer will randomly generate the numbers for you. 

Players can add the "Megaplier" for $1, which can increase non-grand prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. The Megaplier is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday.

There are 15 Megapiler balls in all:

• 2X, five balls
• 3X, six balls
• 4X, three balls
• 5X, one ball

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.

Contributing: Haadiza Ogwude.