Man Wins Mega Millions Jackpot

Ben Chason correctly selected the numbers for Friday's (September 15) Mega Millions drawing and became the largest winner in Georgia Lottery history. There was one winning jackpot ticket sold for Friday's drawing, worth $163 million. Mr. Chason, a resident of Bainbridge, selected the cash option, which amounted to $95,433,255 before taxes.

"It's always exciting when a Mega Millions jackpot ticket is purchased in Georgia," said Georgia Lottery Corporation President and CEO Margaret DeFrancisco. "The students of Georgia are also big winners. Mega Millions is a great contributor to our profits for HOPE and Pre-K."

The winning numbers for Friday's Mega Millions drawing were: 6-26-33-39-55 and the Mega Ball was 1. The Quik Pik ticket was purchased at Stop N Buy, located at 835 Dothan Rd. in Bainbridge.

According to Mr. Chason, he discovered his big win when he stopped for gas on Sunday morning. "There was a printout of the winning numbers on the counter, and I decided to check my tickets," he says. "I thought I was dreaming."

Mr. Chason, 52, works in maintenance for the Bainbridge Housing Authority. He is the father of a teenage son and says he will use his winnings to help others.

"It makes me feel good to be able to do something for my family and others," he shares.

Any Georgia Lottery retailer who sells a winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket can earn the $25,000 retailer incentive bonus payment. If more than one winning jackpot ticket is sold in Georgia, the retailers selling the winning tickets will share the $25,000 retailer incentive bonus. Stop N Buy will receive the $25,000 retailer incentive bonus.