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He Bought a Scratcher. Then Won $2 Million.
Local Lottery Players Win Big: Millions and Thousands Claimed Across Georgia
Recent Winners in Our Area
Three lucky Georgia Lottery players are celebrating major wins this week. Here’s what happened, explained simply.
1. The $2 Million Scratch-Off Winner
- Where: Martinez, Georgia
- Where ticket was bought: Junior Food Store, 500 Flowing Wells Road
- When: July 24
- Game: $2 million "Jackpots Galore" scratch-off ticket
- What this means: This player bought a special scratch-off card, scratched off the coating, and found they won the game’s top prize of $2 million!
2. The $150,000 Fantasy 5 Winner
- Where: Sylvania, Georgia (Screven County)
- Where ticket was bought: Short Stop, 1480 Millen Highway
- When: July 25 drawing
- Game: Fantasy 5
- How they won: They matched all five winning numbers in the drawing
- What is Fantasy 5? A game where you pick 5 numbers (or let the computer pick). If your numbers match the ones drawn, you win!
3. The $10,000 Keno Winner
- Where: Lincolnton, Georgia (Lincoln County)
- How they played: Through the Georgia Lottery mobile app on their phone
- When: July 25
- Game: Keno!
- What is Keno? A fast-paced game where numbers are drawn every few minutes. You pick numbers and hope they match. This player won $10,000 playing right from their phone!
Upcoming Giant Jackpots — You Could Be Next!
IMPORTANT: HUGE JACKPOTS COMING UP!
Two of the biggest lottery games in the country have massive prizes right now. These are multi-state games, meaning people all across America play them, so the prizes get really, really big.
Mega Millions
- Estimated Jackpot: $800 million (that’s 800 million dollars!)
- Cash Option: $344.2 million (if you take it all at once instead of yearly payments)
- Next Drawing: Tuesday, July 28 at 11:00 PM ET
Powerball
- Estimated Jackpot: $663 million
- Cash Option: $290.4 million
- Next Drawing: Wednesday, July 29 at 11:00 PM ET
How to Play (Simple Steps)
If you’ve never played before, here’s how it works:
- Go to a licensed retailer (convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores)
- Pick your game (scratch-off, Fantasy 5, Mega Millions, Powerball, etc.)
- Choose your numbers or ask for a "Quick Pick" (computer chooses randomly)
- Pay for your ticket (keep it safe — it’s your only proof!)
- Watch the drawing (on TV, online, or check the app later)
- Check your numbers against the winners
- Claim your prize if you won! (Small prizes at the store, big ones at lottery headquarters)
Summary
| Winner | Prize | Game | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scratch-off player | $2,000,000 | Jackpots Galore | Martinez (Junior Food Store) | July 24 |
| Fantasy 5 player | $150,000 | Fantasy 5 | Sylvania (Short Stop) | July 25 |
| Keno player | $10,000 | Keno! (mobile app) | Lincolnton | July 25 |
Plus: Two enormous jackpots are up for grabs this week — Mega Millions ($800M) on Tuesday and Powerball ($663M) on Wednesday.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I have to pay taxes on lottery winnings?
A: Yes. Both federal and state taxes are taken out of big prizes. For huge jackpots, the lottery automatically withholds some money for taxes before you even get paid.
Q: Can I stay anonymous if I win big in Georgia?
A: No. Georgia law requires the lottery to release the winner’s name, city, and prize amount. However, you can claim through a trust or legal entity with a lawyer’s help to add some privacy.
Q: How long do I have to claim a prize?
A: In Georgia, you have 180 days (about 6 months) from the drawing date or game end date to claim your prize. Don’t wait too long!
Q: What’s the difference between the "annuity" and "cash option" for jackpots?
A:
- Annuity: You get the full advertised amount (like $800M) paid out in 30 yearly payments.
- Cash Option: You get a smaller lump sum all at once (like $344.2M) — this is the actual cash the lottery has on hand.
Q: Can I buy lottery tickets online in Georgia?
A: Yes! The Georgia Lottery mobile app and website let you buy tickets for draw games (like Mega Millions, Powerball, Fantasy 5) and play instant games like Keno! — but you must be physically located in Georgia and 18 or older.
Information sourced from WRDW/WAGT News 12. Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
