Patience pays off for NJ million dollar winner Drawing Date: 9/20/2024 October 11, 2024 - Amid life’s grind, we can fall into routines—well-worn paths that best help us complete our day. For one Mega Millions winner, that routine was disrupted. Rather than rushing to get back on track, an ability to go patiently with the flow paid off handsomely. On Sept. 20, one New Jersey resident was supposed to be on the Turnpike. However, fate led to an Edison gas station. “I figured I’d might as well get some tickets, two Mega Millions, two Power Balls and two Pick-6s. But, there was a guy in front of me playing all sorts of things. I didn’t want to stay, but I figured ‘let me wait.’” Patience paid off handsomely as one of the Mega Millions tickets led to a $1 million payday. The retailer, R&J Fuel at 421 U.S. 1 South in Edison, will receive a $2,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. The winner is somebody who doesn’t always check the ticket. This time, for some reason, was different. “When the numbers came in, I thought it was too good to be true. I looked at the numbers and couldn’t believe it. I checked again and (asked a family member) to check again. This is crazy.” Sometimes, we all need a little crazy in our lives. “I’m in a daze—still dreaming, but I’m still the same person,” the winner reflected. Once the dream meets reality, the winner has several paths to take, including retirement and taking care of the family. Regardless, life got a whole lot easier. A New Jersey law allows lottery winners to remain anonymous indefinitely, and the identity of winners will not be included in materials available to public inspection under the State’s Open Public Records Act. Players claiming Lottery prizes worth $600.00 or more must still provide their identity to Lottery officials in order to claim a prize. The New Jersey Lottery is required by law to withhold state and federal taxes from certain prizes awarded. The New Jersey Lottery also shares the identity of winners with other State agencies, and claims are reviewed for collection of unpaid obligations such as child support, student loan arrearages, and back taxes.