New Jersey Lottery Mega Millions Players Claim Jackpot Winning Ticket from the May 31st Drawing

Drawing Date: 5/31/2013

TRENTON (July 24, 2013) - The anxiously awaited New Jersey Lottery winners from the May 31 Mega Millions drawing have come forward to validate their ticket and claim their prize at Lottery Headquarters. Darryl and Judith Smith from Mays Landing are the official winners of the $30 million jackpot prize.

The camera shy couple sat across from their attorneys and completed the claims process with Lottery officials. Upon completion, Judith Smith smiled and said, “We are thankful for the blessing and the opportunities that it opens up for us. We would greatly appreciate that our privacy be respected.”

Carole Hedinger, Lottery Executive Director said, “We are thrilled to meet the latest New Jersey Lottery jackpot winners!  The sale of this winning ticket marks the fourth time in 2013 that New Jersey has produced a major jackpot winner.”  The winning streak was kicked off on January 25th with the $89 million Mega Millions win by Angel Guallpa-Mayancela from Orange, followed by the March 23rd, $338.3 million Powerball win by Pedro Quezada from Passaic, then the $190 million May 17th Mega Millions win by Giuseppe “Joe” Garofalo of Tinton Falls and now the May 31st Mega Millions jackpot win by Mr. and Mrs. Smith. “It’s good to be New Jersey,” stated Hedinger. 

Many New Jersey residents benefit from the revenue generated by the New Jersey Lottery and its games. A minimum of 30 percent of Lottery revenue is contributed back to the State Treasury in support of educational programs and institutions such as: county college capital improvement initiatives; school nutrition efforts; the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf; the operation of centers for the developmentally disabled; state psychiatric hospitals; homes for veterans; higher education tuition and grants; and aid to colleges and universities. This Mega Millions game roll contributed more than $1.9 million towards the Mega Millions Fiscal Year total contribution of $59.6 million. The Lottery is pleased to have generated more than $925 million in FY 13 to support its beneficiaries. 

Mr. Smith purchased the Mega Millions winning ticket in Atlantic County at Vineland Truck Stop, 760 Harding Way in Buena.  It was the only ticket in the nation sold that matched all five white balls and Gold Megaball to claim the $30 million Mega Millions jackpot for the May 31 drawing.  The winning numbers were 02, 20, 26, 44 and 46.  The Gold Mega Ball was 26 and the Megaplier Multiplier was 03. 

In addition to the jackpot win, three lucky players purchased $10,000 winning tickets.  Two of the tickets were purchased in Middlesex County one at:  Acme Check Cashing Service, 1259 US 1 South, Edison and the other at: Windsor Pharmacy, 722 Route 18, East Brunswick.   There was a Monmouth County ticket sold at Welsh Farms Country Deli, 4057 Asbury Ave., Tinton Falls.

In addition to the Garden State’s jackpot winner and third prize winners, 31,153 other New Jersey players took home $120,440 in prizes ranging from $2 to $150, according to Hedinger.

Watch live drawings on the New Jersey Lottery’s website (NJLottery.net) or on our Official Facebook Page, or on CBS stations: WLNY 10/55 and CW Philly 57.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 participating jurisdictions. Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Since its inception in 1970, the New Jersey State Lottery (NJLottery.net) has contributed nearly $21 billion to State education and institutions. In fiscal year 2012, the Lottery provided $950 million to support State educational programs and institutions. More than 6,500 businesses throughout the Garden State prosper from their partnership with the Lottery. Among its beneficiaries are: veterans homes, community and other colleges and universities, school nutrition programs, homes for the developmentally disabled, psychiatric hospitals, higher education scholarship programs and the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf.