Community Corner

New Jersey Lottery Winner Claims $200M Ticket, But Who Is It?

A new law allows New Jersey lottery winners to remain anonymous. One New Jersey player won over $200 million this year and did just that.

NEW JERSEY — Someone in New Jersey bought a lottery ticket back in February, and it may have been the best decision of their life.

Depending on who you ask, the second best decision of their life may be keeping their good fortune anonymous.

According to lottery officials, a New Jersey lottery player hit the Mega Millions Jackpot and claimed their $202 million winnings on Feb. 11. Thanks to a law passed in the state in January, that person had the option to keep themselves anonymous.

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Here's what we do know about the Garden State's mystery winner.

According to lottery officials, the unnamed player first saw the news that a state player had won while on Facebook at work. They went to their car, checked their ticket, and discovered that they were the person who won.

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Somehow, according to officials, this person was able to compose themselves and return to work after discovering they'd just won over $200 million.

The ticket was sold at Quick Stop Food Store in Edison, 940 Inman Ave., where New Jersey Lottery Executive Director James Carey held a press conference and presented the store with a $30,000 commission check.

"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 said at the press conference.

According to lottery officials, the winner was listening, and taking notes. Officials say the winner signed the back of her ticket and went to a lawyer to confirm next steps.

So what do we know? One New Jersey resident is $200 million richer, and that's their business, not yours.

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