At a press conference today held at Lottery Headquarters, New Jersey Lottery Acting Executive Director John M. White, accompanied by State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio, announced Richard Wahl of Vernon, New Jersey, as the sole winner of the $533 million Mega Millions drawing held on Friday, March 30, 2018.
Officials said Mr. Wahl purchased his lucky ticket after hearing a coworker tell him how he always passed the Mega Millions sign but never bought a ticket for himself. Mr. Wahl decided to get in the game himself, and found out the wonderful news when he checked the numbers online late that night. At the press conference, Mr. Wahl answered questions about his experience and what is next for him. When asked about what comes next for him and his family, Mr. Wahl replied, “We’re still in a lot of shock and talking to our financial advisors, we have a lot of planning left to do.”
“Congratulations to Mr. Wahl on his record-breaking jackpot prize. In addition to Mr. Wahl’s big win, retailers across New Jersey won big, too. We have more than 7,000 retailers across the state, and this Mega Millions run has generated more than $2.5 million in commissions and bonuses for those retailers,” White said.
The $533 million jackpot is the largest Lottery jackpot in New Jersey history, the fourth largest Mega Millions jackpot, and the tenth largest Lottery jackpot in North American history. The $533 million annuity jackpot has a cash option of $324.6 million.
The retailer that sold the winning ticket, Riverdale Lukoil South on 105 Route 23 South in Riverdale, received a $30,000 bonus check for selling the winning ticket.