Regular Customer Won $533M Jackpot, Morris Co. Store Owner Says

RIVERDALE, NJ — Although the winner of the $533 million Mega Millions jackpot hasn't stepped forward yet, the owner of the Morris County store who sold it says he knows who it is, and he's not telling.

Ameer Krass, the owner of the Riverdale Lukoil South, said he reviewed the video footage and has identified the winning player as a regular customer, but won't name names, nj.com reports. The winner has not yet contacted lottery officials to claim their prize.

“I know them, and they are one of our regulars, which is great. That's what we were hoping for,” Krass told the Daily Record.

He's hoping that the winner will "do good" with the winnings.

"You can do a lot of good with that money. Enjoy it. You can do a lot of good for yourself, and those around you," he said at a press conference, calling for those around the winner to give him some space.

It's not unusual for winners of large jackpots to not come forward right away. Although their identities cannot be kept secret in New Jersey, large winners typically get legal and financial advice before they claim their prize.

After taxes, the winner will take home $324.6 million in cash if they choose the lump sum payment. It's the fourth largest jackpot in the games history; the largest jackpot was dawn six years ago and was worth $656 million.

Selling the winning ticket comes with a big windfall for Krass, too; the Lukoil South received a $30,000 retail selling bonus. Krass said all of his employees will take home a bonus, and he'll donate some to a local church.

“Congratulations to Riverdale Lukoil South and to Ameer Krass for selling this winning ticket. The win has made this local Riverdale Lukoil South a very popular place. It will continue to be known around the country as a very lucky Lottery location,” New Jersey Lottery Acting Executive Director John White said. “We are thrilled that the New Jersey Lottery brand can assist our State’s business owners, large and small, with brand building by offering Lottery products that encourage consumer traffic into their stores.”

The ticket sold in Riverdale was the only jackpot winning ticket sold. It matched all five white balls (11, 28, 31, 46 and 59), plus the gold Mega Ball (1).

Morris County might have had the only jackpot winner, but other states saw residents take home generous prizes as well. Two tickets sold in Ohio and Texas matched the five white balls to win $1 million each.

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